Nile River is matter of national security, Egypt retains right to defend its waters: Sisi

Egypt views the Nile River as a non-negotiable component of its national security, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi reiterated during high-level discussions in Cairo with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani.

According to the presidential spokesperson, Sisi underlined Cairo’s legitimate right to safeguard its water, food, and developmental security.

He firmly rejected any unilateral measures along the Nile basin, calling for strict compliance with international law—specifically the core doctrine prohibiting harm to downstream nations.

Beyond the Nile issue, the meeting covered shifting dynamics across the Horn of Africa.

Both officials agreed to step up bilateral coordination to bolster regional stability, emphasizing full respect for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of all states in the region.

Turning to maritime security, Sisi stressed that preserving freedom of navigation through international waterways remains vital, highlighting the Red Sea’s strategic role in Egyptian national defense.

The Egyptian President affirmed that securing the Red Sea falls strictly under the jurisdiction of its coastal states, warning against actions that threaten its stability or risk militarizing and internationalizing the key waterway.