Cairo: The Egyptian delegation, led by Assistant Foreign Minister for African Affairs Ambassador Mohamed Karim Sherif, engaged in a round of political consultations with their French counterparts on March 26, 2026. The talks focused on various African issues and were spearheaded by the Director of the Africa and Indian Ocean Department at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Emmanuelle Blatmann.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the Egyptian and French delegations discussed enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation on African matters. The meeting was also attended by Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Ambassador Wael Hamed and Assistant Foreign Minister and Director of the Sudan and South Sudan Department Ambassador Yasser Sorour from the Egyptian side, and the French Ambassador to Cairo, Ambassador Eric Chevallier, from the French side.

The discussions encompassed developments in regions such as the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, Central and West Africa, Sudan, and th
e Great Lakes region. Key topics included the Nile Basin countries and water security, with both parties exploring opportunities for trilateral and multilateral cooperation. Egypt emphasized its stance on ‘strategic balance,’ advocating for African solutions and development efforts to tackle regional challenges.

Significant attention was paid to Egypt’s commitment to mutual benefit with Nile Basin countries, aligning with international law to support development interests and water security. A $100 million financing mechanism was highlighted to support projects in these countries. Egypt’s steadfast support for Sudan’s unity and sovereignty was also reiterated, with a firm stance against parallel entities that could exacerbate the crisis.

The consultations further explored enhancing economic cooperation, with plans to encourage private sector participation in an upcoming Business Summit alongside the African Union Coordination Summit in June 2026. Both sides underscored the importance of ensuring Red Sea nav
igation and preventing conflict spillover, while continuing coordinated efforts on African issues, particularly in the Great Lakes region, focusing on humanitarian aid and development.