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Egypt Hopes an ‘African Push’ to Resolve Dam Dispute

Shoukry meets the UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa on the sidelines of AU meetings. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Shoukry meets the UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa on the sidelines of AU meetings. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
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Egypt Hopes an ‘African Push’ to Resolve Dam Dispute

Shoukry meets the UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa on the sidelines of AU meetings. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Shoukry meets the UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa on the sidelines of AU meetings. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Egypt intends to showcase the developments of the dispute with Ethiopia regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) during the African Union Summit, which will launch on Saturday in Addis Ababa.

Egypt hopes for an "African push" that could break through the stalled negotiations for two years now.

Egypt’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sameh Shoukry led the Egyptian delegation to the 42nd Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council held on Wednesday and Thursday.

Foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said that Shoukry was keen during his meetings with the ministers of Nile Basin countries and African ministers to explain the Egyptian stance in this matter.

Moreover, Shoukry met Thursday with the UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Hanna Tetteh.

The talks addressed several matters related to peace and security in the Horn of Africa.

The minister affirmed Egypt’s stance on the necessity to reach a binding deal on the filling and operation of the GERD, stressing the need to ensure that the deal on GERD takes into consideration the interests of the three countries and preserves Egypt’s water rights.

Egypt fears that its share of the waters of the Nile will be affected by the GERD that Ethiopia has been building since 2011 on the main tributary of the river.

Cairo is calling for a binding legal agreement that regulates the filling and operation of the dam, while Ethiopia is pushing for the construction of the hydroelectric dam, claiming its right to development by exploiting its water resources.

Egypt has been engaged in negotiations for more than a decade with Ethiopia and Sudan but no progress was made.

Abu Zeid said in televised statements on Wednesday that Egypt is always ready to negotiate on the Ethiopian dam issue but “in a serious manner”.

The talks between the three countries were halted in April 2021 after the AU failed to resolve the dispute. This pushed Egypt to protest at the Security Council and demand pressure on Ethiopia through international partners to accept an agreement that satisfies all parties.

Furthermore, Shoukry met the Rwandan Foreign Minister and expressed Egypt’s readiness to engage in serious talks that lead to a legally-binding agreement.

Samaa Suleiman, a member of the Committee on Foreign Relations in the Egyptian Senate, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the AU Summit is an opportunity to discuss the Egyptian concerns regarding the renaissance dam and to ensure that no harm is caused to Egypt amid its water resources shortage crisis.

Ethiopia kickstarted a year ago limited electricity production from the dam.

It further announced completion of the third filling of its mega-dam on the Blue Nile, which heightened tension with Egypt and Sudan.

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Arab World

China's Xi Arrives in Egypt

Chinese President Xi Jinping, with his wife First Lady Peng Liyuan, is welcomed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his wife First Lady Entissar Amer upon their arrival at Cairo International Airport for an official visit to Egypt, which is his first state visit to the country in 10 years, in Cairo on September 1, 2026. (AFP)
Chinese President Xi Jinping, with his wife First Lady Peng Liyuan, is welcomed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his wife First Lady Entissar Amer upon their arrival at Cairo International Airport for an official visit to Egypt, which is his first state visit to the country in 10 years, in Cairo on September 1, 2026. (AFP)
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China's Xi Arrives in Egypt

Chinese President Xi Jinping, with his wife First Lady Peng Liyuan, is welcomed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his wife First Lady Entissar Amer upon their arrival at Cairo International Airport for an official visit to Egypt, which is his first state visit to the country in 10 years, in Cairo on September 1, 2026. (AFP)
Chinese President Xi Jinping, with his wife First Lady Peng Liyuan, is welcomed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his wife First Lady Entissar Amer upon their arrival at Cairo International Airport for an official visit to Egypt, which is his first state visit to the country in 10 years, in Cairo on September 1, 2026. (AFP)

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Egypt on Tuesday on a rare trip to the Middle East amid the regional conflict with Iran.

Xi and his wife were greeted on the tarmac by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the first lady, as well as a performance by an Egyptian folk dance troupe.

The two-day visit comes as both countries seek to manage the fallout of the months-long Middle East war, which began when the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, throwing the crucial trade region into crisis.

Washington vowed last month to destabilize Iran economically, warning of expanded sanctions against Tehran's backers and partners that could hit Chinese banks, among others.

Xi's visit "comes at a time when China's economic interests are directly exposed to the US-Iran war", said Gamal Salama, political science professor at Egypt's Suez University.

China, a major buyer of Iranian oil, has presented itself as a neutral party in the Middle East conflict, repeatedly calling for a lasting ceasefire.

Egypt, a long-time recipient of US military aid, warned against regional escalation after a drone strike hit one of its ports in July.

China is "clearly seeking Egypt's cooperation in managing and shaping regional affairs", said Liu Jia, a research fellow at the Singapore-based Middle East Institute.

Beijing works closely with regional actors such as Egypt, which mediates between Israel and Palestinian groups, Liu added.

Both China and Egypt support an independent Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution.

"China sees Cairo as a strategic power broker," said Salama.

Egypt's "relations with both Washington and regional actors give Beijing both political access and diplomatic leverage across a region where China wants a much greater say," he added.

China's President Xi Jinping walks with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi followed by their wives Peng Liyuan and Entissar Amer upon their arrival at the Cairo International Airport, Egypt, September 1, 2026. (Reuters)

- 'Renewing the friendship' -

As part of its economic pressure campaign targeting Iran, Washington last week said it would cut off the operations of Egypt's Banque Misr in the UAE from the US financial system.

China, in response to the US measures and threats, has vowed to safeguard its interests.

Beijing has also sought to shore up ties with US-friendly regional nations ahead of a meeting between Xi and US President Donald Trump expected this month.

The Chinese and Egyptian militaries carried out joint air combat exercises in August that featured Beijing's powerful J-16 fighter jet.

Xi's meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Sisi, scheduled for Wednesday, follows a visit to Beijing by Jordan's King Abdullah II, whose country has also been caught up in the US war with Iran.

Xi and Sisi are expected to discuss issues including the Gaza war, Iran, and shipping in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, according to Egyptian media.

"I look forward to renewing the friendship and working together with President Sisi to... map out a new blueprint for deepening the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership," Xi wrote in an editorial published in Egyptian media on Tuesday.

The Chinese leader's first visit to Egypt in a decade comes as the two nations mark 70 years of diplomatic ties.

China is a major exporter to Egypt, with its trade surplus reaching $12 billion in the first seven months of 2026, according to Chinese customs data.

The leaders are expected to sign agreements on artificial intelligence, transport, energy and investment in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, Egyptian media reported.

The meeting with Xi sets Cairo up to land Chinese investments in its local AI and electronics industries, political scientist Salama said.

"What Egypt is seeking is strategic autonomy: not breaking with Washington, not aligning completely with Beijing, but creating enough room to pursue its own national interests," he added.

Arab World

UK to Unveil ‘Comprehensive’ Response to Israeli West Bank Settlement Plans in Coming Weeks

The new Israeli settlement “Dotan Valley”, as seen from Arraba whilst Israeli bulldozers uproots olive trees from Palestinian farms in Araba village near the west bank city of Jenin, 01 September 2026. (EPA)
The new Israeli settlement “Dotan Valley”, as seen from Arraba whilst Israeli bulldozers uproots olive trees from Palestinian farms in Araba village near the west bank city of Jenin, 01 September 2026. (EPA)
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UK to Unveil ‘Comprehensive’ Response to Israeli West Bank Settlement Plans in Coming Weeks

The new Israeli settlement “Dotan Valley”, as seen from Arraba whilst Israeli bulldozers uproots olive trees from Palestinian farms in Araba village near the west bank city of Jenin, 01 September 2026. (EPA)
The new Israeli settlement “Dotan Valley”, as seen from Arraba whilst Israeli bulldozers uproots olive trees from Palestinian farms in Araba village near the west bank city of Jenin, 01 September 2026. (EPA)

Britain will set out a "comprehensive" package of measures on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank in the coming weeks, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said on ‌Tuesday.

Miliband told ‌lawmakers that Israel's ‌E1 ⁠settlement project would cut ⁠across land which the Palestinians seek for a state and "risks making a Palestinian state unviable".

"This government will not acquiesce ⁠in the destruction of the ‌two-state ‌solution," he said. "We will act ‌and I will set out ‌a comprehensive set of measures in the coming weeks."

Britain and other European nations ‌have criticized Israel's plans, while Prime Minister Andy ⁠Burnham ⁠said before taking office that he was "looking at measures to ban trade in goods with illegal settlements".

The Times reported on Monday that US President Donald Trump's administration is "closely" tracking any plans to introduce a trade ban.

Arab World

More Than 10 EU Countries Eager to Contribute to Lebanon Mission, EU Foreign Policy Chief Says

(COMBO) This combination of handout satellite images taken by Planet Labs PBC shows views of the village of Yaroun in southern Lebanon close to the border with Israel on (top L to R followed by bottom L to R) October 5, 2024; January 10, 2025; January 30, 2025; and on May 2, 2026. (Photo by 2026 Planet Labs PBC / AFP)
(COMBO) This combination of handout satellite images taken by Planet Labs PBC shows views of the village of Yaroun in southern Lebanon close to the border with Israel on (top L to R followed by bottom L to R) October 5, 2024; January 10, 2025; January 30, 2025; and on May 2, 2026. (Photo by 2026 Planet Labs PBC / AFP)
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More Than 10 EU Countries Eager to Contribute to Lebanon Mission, EU Foreign Policy Chief Says

(COMBO) This combination of handout satellite images taken by Planet Labs PBC shows views of the village of Yaroun in southern Lebanon close to the border with Israel on (top L to R followed by bottom L to R) October 5, 2024; January 10, 2025; January 30, 2025; and on May 2, 2026. (Photo by 2026 Planet Labs PBC / AFP)
(COMBO) This combination of handout satellite images taken by Planet Labs PBC shows views of the village of Yaroun in southern Lebanon close to the border with Israel on (top L to R followed by bottom L to R) October 5, 2024; January 10, 2025; January 30, 2025; and on May 2, 2026. (Photo by 2026 Planet Labs PBC / AFP)

More than 10 European Union members are willing to contribute resources and people to a planned mission to advise and train Lebanon's armed forces, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Tuesday. 

The proposed mission stems from the EU studying ways to strengthen Lebanese forces to help free up the Lebanese army to focus on disarming the armed group Hezbollah. 

Western countries have long called for Lebanon to disarm the Iran-backed group, and doing ‌so is a ‌central component of a ceasefire between Lebanon ‌and ⁠Israel aimed at ⁠ending a war that has run in parallel with the US-Israeli war against Iran. 

The mandate of a UN force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, is set to expire at the end of 2026, and it is expected to begin a year-long drawdown and withdrawal. 

"The EU is not seeking ⁠to replace UNIFIL," Kallas told reporters in Ireland ‌following a gathering of ‌European defense ministers. 

"Our objective is to strengthen the Lebanese armed forces and ‌the ability of the Lebanese state to provide ‌security across its territory," she said, adding that planning is progressing well. 

An EU official told Reuters that the bloc's aim is to establish the mission in mid-October and then deploy personnel in late ‌2026 or early 2027. 

Kallas did not provide detail on which EU countries would ⁠be involved. 

France has ⁠been trying for several months to organize an international conference that would aim to strengthen the Lebanese armed forces, and also proposed creating an international force as part of efforts to replace UNIFIL. 

A senior Western diplomat told Reuters on Tuesday there was limited prospect for major decisions on Lebanon's future before Israel's election in late October. The diplomat also said there was little chance of progress without any clear strengthening of the Lebanese armed forces that would enable them to move into areas previously controlled by Hezbollah.