Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam reaffirmed Cairo’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Nile Basin countries and sharing technical expertise during an official visit to South Sudan. The visit included a tour of Egypt’s irrigation mission in Juba and participation in Nile Day celebrations. Sewilam emphasized the Nile Basin Initiative as a comprehensive framework for joint cooperation.
During his official visit to South Sudan, Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam reaffirmed Cairo’s commitment to bolstering cooperation with Nile Basin countries. The itinerary featured a tour of Egypt’s irrigation mission in Juba, where it oversees bilateral projects such as drilling groundwater wells, clearing waterways of aquatic weeds, and providing technical support in water resources management to benefit local communities.
Sewilam met with Egyptian experts and South Sudanese staff at the mission, reviewing ongoing cooperation projects and discussing prospects for enhancing partnership in the water sector. He described these initiatives as a practical model of collaboration among Nile Basin states and part of Egypt’s wider efforts to aid development across Africa, particularly in water and irrigation.
He also joined Nile Day celebrations in Juba, highlighting the Nile Basin Initiative as a comprehensive framework to unite basin countries and foster joint efforts. Sewilam viewed the ongoing consultative process on the Nile Basin framework agreement as the most practical route to inclusive consensus, urging consideration of the interests and concerns of non-signatory states to maintain basin unity and sustain cooperation.
He called for accelerating the consultative process to establish a comprehensive Nile Basin commission, cautioning against unilateral actions or premature institutional setups that might undermine collective endeavors. Sewilam further stressed the value of involving local communities, youth, and women in water governance, noting women’s key role in managing water resources and supporting rural livelihoods, alongside the need to invest in youth for innovation and regional stability.
The minister stated that Egypt will continue constructive engagement with Nile Basin countries and development partners to build trust and consensus, aiding sustainable development and stability across the basin.