President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said Tuesday that the ongoing water dispute over the Nile is part of a broader pressure campaign aimed at Egypt to serve other objectives.
Speaking at a press conference with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni at Cairo’s Ittihadiya Palace, Sisi reiterated Egypt’s complete rejection of any unilateral measures in the Eastern Nile Basin, stressing that its water rights are a red line.
“Whoever thinks Egypt will turn a blind eye to its water rights is mistaken,” Sisi said. “Giving up our water share would mean giving up our life.”
The president emphasized that while Egypt does not oppose development in Nile Basin countries, such projects must not impact Egypt’s share of the river’s water. He explained that the Nile Basin receives around 1,600 billion cubic meters of water annually, but the majority is lost in forests, swamps, evaporation, and seepage, leaving only a small percentage flowing into the Nile.
Egypt’s share is approximately 85 billion cubic meters—about 4% of the basin’s total—and is the country’s sole source of fresh water, Sisi noted.
He called for cooperation to achieve stability in Africa, rejecting interference in the affairs of other states, and warning against conspiracies or destructive actions. He voiced support for the work of the Nile Basin’s seven-member committee, chaired by Uganda, to reach a consensus.
Sisi also acknowledged the legitimate public concern in Egypt over water security, saying that public awareness and resilience are the main pillars in facing any threats.
