Egypt and Sudan: Safeguarding Water Security Does Not Contradict with Nile Basin Nations’ Aspirations

Cairo – Sudanhorizon
Sudan and Egypt on Wednesday discussed advancing water-related development cooperation programs and expanding the scope of bilateral projects aimed at supporting Sudan’s water and irrigation sectors. These efforts are designed to align with Sudan’s priorities and serve the mutual interests of both peoples.
This discussion took place during a meeting in Cairo between Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Sewilam, and his Sudanese counterpart, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Dr. Ismat Qurashi.
The meeting addressed the rehabilitation of the Jebel Aulia Dam and reviewed the findings of the Egyptian technical committee that inspected the dam in July 2026 to determine rehabilitation and maintenance requirements; both sides agreed to expedite the necessary implementation procedures.
The ministers agreed to lay the groundwork for signing a memorandum of understanding during the 9th Cairo Water Week next October. This agreement will cover projects such as flood protection, rainwater harvesting, the construction of solar-powered groundwater stations, aquatic weed control, training, and the exchange of expertise in the water and sanitation sectors.
The ministers emphasized that the historical ties, shared interests, and common destiny uniting Egypt and Sudan necessitate enhanced coordination and joint action to address current water and development challenges.
Both sides underscored the importance of building upon existing institutional frameworks—foremost among them the Permanent Joint Technical Commission for Nile Waters—to ensure it remains a practical and effective mechanism for managing shared water issues. The two ministers affirmed that the water security of Egypt and Sudan is inviolable and that safeguarding it does not conflict with the Nile Basin countries’ aspirations for sustainable development, provided there is a commitment to cooperation, consultation, information sharing, and avoiding harm to the interests of others.
The two sides also discussed upgrading monitoring systems, rehabilitating gauging stations and equipping them with modern instruments, and jointly reactivating the High Dam Lake mission to monitor water quality and environmental characteristics.

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