Egyptian Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Hani Sewilam represented President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly at the event, hosted by the Rwandan Embassy in Cairo.
Sewilam conveyed the Egyptian president’s congratulations to Rwandan President Paul Kagame on his re-election and emphasized Egypt’s dedication to strengthening bilateral ties.
“Egypt is committed to its brotherly relationship with the Nile Basin countries, fostering cooperation on all levels to achieve mutual benefits and avoid causing harm to any party,” Sewilam said.
Rwanda’s Liberation Day signifies the country’s transition from an oppressive and discriminatory regime to a democratic nation, marking the efforts of the Rwandan Patriotic Front in ending the tragic 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
The minister highlighted the diverse cooperation between Egypt and Rwanda in political, economic, cultural, and development spheres. Both nations are members of regional organizations including the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), and the African Union.
Sewilam also discussed the proposed navigation link between Lake Victoria and the Mediterranean Sea, a project involving Rwanda. Egypt recently sent a delegation to explore connecting the Akagera River to the project.
The Egyptian ministries of transport and international cooperation have secured funding from the African Development Bank for a feasibility study on the link, which is intended to boost regional integration, trade, and access to global markets for landlocked countries.
The minister invited Rwanda to join Egypt’s AWARe initiative, an effort to address water-related challenges through capacity building, knowledge sharing, and technical expertise. The initiative is backed by international organizations including the Food and Agriculture Organization, UNESCO, the United Nations Development Programme, the Union for the Mediterranean, and the World Meteorological Organization.
