Egyptian–Ugandan Talks to Strengthen Water Security and Stability in the Horn of Africa

Cairo – Sudanhorizon – Agencies

The Egyptian capital, Cairo, hosted on Wednesday the third round of the (2+2) ministerial consultations between Egypt and Uganda, chaired by the ministers of foreign affairs and water resources and irrigation from both countries, to discuss prospects for strategic cooperation on Nile Basin issues and pressing regional matters.

The talks focused primarily on ways to advance integrated water resource management in the Nile Basin. Both sides reaffirmed their firm commitment to the principle of not causing significant harm to any party—a position that aligns closely with Sudanese and Egyptian principles of preserving water rights and ensuring the safety of river flows through consensus and inclusivity among basin countries.

As part of efforts to strengthen collective action, the two sides welcomed the report of the Nile Basin Initiative committee responsible for engaging with countries that have not yet ratified the “Framework Agreement,” stressing the importance of broad consultations to reach arrangements that ensure mutual benefit without unilateral decision-making.

Egypt also expressed its full readiness to mobilize the necessary funding for water infrastructure projects in Uganda and other basin countries, contributing to advancing regional sustainable development and linking the economic interests of Nile Basin states—particularly through activating memoranda of understanding on technical cooperation and joint resource management.

On the political front, regional security issues in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region took up a significant portion of the discussions. Egypt and Uganda aligned their positions on the need to restore peace and stability in these vital regions, while emphasizing adherence to the core principles enshrined in the charters of the African Union and the United Nations, including respect for state sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.

The consultations concluded with an agreement on a timeline to follow up on the implementation of these outcomes, ensuring continued high-level coordination and expanding economic and trade integration between the two countries, with future rounds set to be held in Kampala to further strengthen this strategic partnership.

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