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‘National Security Is a Red Line that Cannot Be Crossed,’ Sisi Assures Egyptians

Sisi attending the inauguration of the Decent Life initiative in Cairo. (Egyptian Presidency Spokesman’s Facebook page)
Sisi attending the inauguration of the Decent Life initiative in Cairo. (Egyptian Presidency Spokesman’s Facebook page)
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‘National Security Is a Red Line that Cannot Be Crossed,’ Sisi Assures Egyptians

Sisi attending the inauguration of the Decent Life initiative in Cairo. (Egyptian Presidency Spokesman’s Facebook page)
Sisi attending the inauguration of the Decent Life initiative in Cairo. (Egyptian Presidency Spokesman’s Facebook page)

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi assured the entire nation amid the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) crisis, saying that “Egypt’s national security, including its rights, is a red line that cannot be crossed.”

The president acknowledged the citizens’ concerns regarding the dam as “legitimate” but reaffirmed that the country would not allow anyone to infringe on its resources.

He reiterated Egypt’s demand that Ethiopia and Sudan sign a legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of the GERD.

“Let’s make a legally binding agreement that will bring prosperity, security and peace to all of us,” he said.

He called on Egyptians to ignore rumors, stressing he has long been “honest, loyal and trustworthy” to the people and remains so.

Trilateral GERD negotiations between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia were brought to a halt last April after the three countries failed to reach an agreement on filling and operating the controversial dam built on the main tributary of the Nile River.

The lack of agreement has forced downstream countries, Egypt and Sudan, to present the conflict’s case to the UN Security Council.

Nevertheless, Ethiopia has notified Egypt and Sudan that it will resume the second phase of filling the GERD’s reservoir. This decision was met with anger from Egypt and Sudan, which are demanding first signing a legally binding agreement on filling and operating the dam.

“We have the economic and military power to impose our will and defend our interests. We have several options, and we will consider them according to the situation and the circumstances at the time,” said Sisi during a public speech at the inauguration of the Decent Life initiative in Cairo.

“We spoke with the Sudanese and the Ethiopians and made it clear during all our talks that we want the Nile [used] for cooperation and partnership,” he said, adding that Egypt does not intervene in other countries’ affairs or internal issues.

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Macron and Tebboune Announce Return of Normal ‘French-Algerian’ Relations

The Algerian and French presidents in August 2022 (Algerian presidency)
The Algerian and French presidents in August 2022 (Algerian presidency)
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Macron and Tebboune Announce Return of Normal ‘French-Algerian’ Relations

The Algerian and French presidents in August 2022 (Algerian presidency)
The Algerian and French presidents in August 2022 (Algerian presidency)

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Algerian counterpart, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, on Monday confirmed a normalization of ties after months of strained relations and agreed to reestablish political dialogue and relaunch cooperation on security and migration.
During a phone call, Macron urged Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune to show “mercy and humanity” towards a jailed French-Algerian writer, Boualem Sansal, the Elysee palace said in a statement.
The author was sentenced last Thursday to five years in prison after an interview he gave to a French far-right media outlet was deemed to undermine Algeria's territorial integrity.
Macron “called for a gesture of mercy and humanity towards Mr Boualem Sansal, given the age and state of health of the writer,” the Elysee statement said.
French nationals living in Algeria and who mostly own private companies, are concerned that the diplomatic rift between both countries would affect their businesses.
They hope discussions between French and Algerian high ranking officials would halt the deterioration in bilateral relations.
Michel Bisac, president of the Algerian French Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told the French-language news website Tout sur l'Algérie, that French residents in Algeria working in companies or in the finance and business fields, are “always welcomed by their Algerian partners.”
“The problem is mainly political,” he said in an attempt to minimize the escalated relations between both countries and its impact on jobs, and French investments in Algeria.
Bisac said most French companies have performed well in 2024, but the diplomatic escalation between the two countries has raised concerns.
“French companies in Algeria do not face any retaliatory measures. As for administrative difficulties, especially with regard to imports, they affect all foreign investors, and do not specifically target France,” he added.
Bisac said there is no campaign against France despite the tense relations, affirming that professional ties remain strong, and expatriates continue to work in a stable environment.
But as bilateral relations continue to deteriorate, he said, the economy could be affected, threatening years of Franco-Algerian cooperation.
Meanwhile, the government in Paris is divided on the French-Algerian crisis. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau vowed a “gradual response” after Algeria refused Paris’ demand to readmit Algerian nationals from France that local authorities have deemed a threat and are seeking to expel.
In return, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot will travel to Algiers on April 11 at the invitation of his Algerian counterpart, Ahmed Attaf, as part of the effort to mend ties between both countries. He is expected to meet with Tebboune.
Recently, Algerians have shown a willingness to dialogue, but the local press has continued its attacks on right-wing French officials, including presidential candidate Bruno Retailleau, who has called for the termination of the 1968 Franco-Algerian immigration agreement.
In return, Algeria's parliament established a commission to draft a law criminalizing French colonial rule, a move deemed “historical” and backed by local lawmakers, historians, and legal experts. Observers expect Algeria to abandon this step when relations between Algiers and Paris return to normal.