Bujumbura: Egypt's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Dr. Hani Sewilam, emphasized that challenges facing the Nile Basin cannot be resolved through unilateral measures but instead require genuine cooperation and sustainable management of shared resources in accordance with international law. This statement was made during the 33rd meeting of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) Council of Water Ministers, held in Burundi.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Sewilam stated that the NBI remains the only inclusive platform uniting all basin countries. He expressed regret that while most states favor dialogue, "one party continues to promote hostile and provocative rhetoric aimed at undermining basin unity." He emphasized that Egypt will maintain restraint and avoid responding to such statements, to prevent the NBI from being drawn into unnecessary disputes.
Sewilam highlighted Egypt's support for the development aspirations of all Nile Basin countries, provided they do not cause harm. He expressed hope for replicating the cooperation model of the southern basin in the eastern basin through transparency and proper impact studies. He noted that Egypt has supported several basin projects over the years, most recently approving two projects in Uganda and Tanzania, reflecting Cairo's constructive approach based on prior notification and consultation under international law.
The minister reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to strengthening the Nile Basin Initiative as the unified platform enabling optimal use of the Nile's resources.