At the first Africa Health ExCon, which kicked off in Cairo on June 5, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi recently stated that his country is not in conflict with other African countries over its share of the Nile water. Sisi noted that his country's historical share, an estimated 55 billion cubic meters, has been unchanged over the years.

Sisi said, “Despite our population increase, we have not engaged in any conflict with our African brothers to increase this share. Instead, we worked to expand our water resources and save every drop.” 

He praised Egypt's water treatment and desalination projects and explained that Egypt's water treatment projects have been developed in accordance with international health standards.

Sisi's comments highlighting Egypt's peaceful approach in its dispute with Ethiopia over the giant hydroelectric dam it is building on the Blue Nile, the main tributary of the Nile River, come weeks before Ethiopia begins the third phase of filling the dam’s reservoir. Sisi also reiterated Cairo's position on the need for a legally binding agreement on the rules for filling and operating the dam in accordance with international law.