Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi on Tuesday received Rwandan President Paul Kagame at Cairo's Ittihadiya Palace during an official state visit marked by full ceremonial honors, including national anthems, a horse guard, and a military salute. The visit underscored the deepening ties between Egypt and Rwanda, with bilateral and expanded talks held between both leaders and their delegations. According to a presidential statement, the discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, food industries, construction, and infrastructure. Both sides also explored opportunities for expanding joint investments. President Al-Sisi expressed Egypt's support for Rwanda's Vision 2050 development strategy, offering technical expertise and capacity-building assistance. Kagame described the partnership as "mutually beneficial," expressing Rwanda's eagerness to expand collaboration with Egypt. Al-Sisi praised Rwanda's national reconciliation and economic progress, calling the country "a model of resilience and sustainable development." He noted that ties between Egypt and Rwanda—rooted since the 1960s—are evolving into a strategic partnership across multiple sectors, including health, education, and trade. Security challenges in Africa's Great Lakes region and the Horn of Africa featured prominently in the talks. Al-Sisi reiterated that Nile water security is an existential issue for Egypt, stating that Cairo would not tolerate any threat to its water rights. He called for cooperation among Nile Basin countries based on international law and shared benefit. The two leaders emphasized the importance of regional integration and sustainable development across the basin. On African Union (AU) matters, Kagame lauded Egypt's role in post-conflict reconstruction, while Al-Sisi commended Rwanda's leadership in AU institutional reform. They also discussed peacebuilding efforts in East Africa, as well as mediation in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, agreeing to strengthen coordination between Cairo and Kigali to address common continental challenges. The ongoing war in Gaza was another focal point. Al-Sisi briefed Kagame on Egypt's efforts to secure a ceasefire, facilitate humanitarian aid, and prevent the forced displacement of Palestinians, which he warned could destabilize the broader region. "There is no alternative to a serious political process that leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital," Al-Sisi said during a joint press conference. President Kagame expressed his support for Egypt's mediation efforts and emphasized the need for collective African and international action to restore peace in the region. The visit concluded with the signing of several memoranda of understanding in areas including water management, logistics and trade land allocation, housing, and investment promotion. Both leaders hailed the agreements as a tangible step toward translating political goodwill into impactful development projects. "The talks today reflected a shared determination to take our relationship to new horizons," said Al-Sisi. "Egypt and Rwanda are committed to working together—bilaterally and continentally—to ensure peace, security, and sustainable development."
