Kinshasa: Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and DR Congo’s Foreign Minister Térèse K. Wagner have agreed to adhere to key international law principles concerning the Nile River. The agreement emphasizes the principles of prior notification and no harm during their political consultations in Kinshasa.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the ministers discussed enhancing cooperation in various fields such as trade and investment, as well as regional and international issues. They emphasized the importance of consensus, cooperation, consultation, and the exchange of data and information in discussions about the Nile and other transboundary rivers.
Minister Abdelatty remarked that his visit to DR Congo underscores Egypt’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations founded on mutual respect and fraternity. He highlighted the strategic partnership efforts aimed at serving the interests of both countries, referring to a recent phone call between President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and President Fél
ix Tshisekedi that underscored a shared aspiration to advance relations.
Abdelatty noted DR Congo’s significant benefits from Egyptian assistance, including technical cooperation and capacity-building initiatives provided by the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development (EAPD) and the Cairo International Centre for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Peacebuilding (CCCPA). He expressed eagerness to diversify training programs for Congolese partners to leverage Egypt’s vast expertise, including scholarships for studies in Egyptian universities and institutes.
The talks also included discussions on boosting economic and investment cooperation, increasing collaboration between investors, and launching an Egypt-Congo Business Forum to foster trade and investment ties. Abdelatty affirmed Egypt’s commitment to developmental projects in DR Congo, particularly in energy and infrastructure, announcing Egypt’s funding contribution to the MBANKANA 1 Dam.
Further, Egypt has established a funding mechanism for
development projects in Southern Nile Basin countries and created a cardiac surgery wing at Kinshasa General Hospital, which will be equipped by the EAPD. Egyptian doctors are set to provide expertise and training for Congolese medical personnel.
Regional issues of mutual concern were also addressed, including the situations in Eastern Congo, the Nile Basin, Sudan, Somalia, and Middle East tensions. Following the consultations, the ministers signed a joint statement and an agreement for mutual visa exemptions for official passport holders, aimed at facilitating high-level visits and enhancing bilateral ties.