President Sisi offers condolences to DR Congo’s Tshisekedi over boat capsizing victims

CAIRO – 19 April 2025: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi extended his heartfelt condolences to DR Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi and the Congolese people for the victims of a recent boat capsizing in the country’s northwest.

The tragedy occurred when a wooden boat carrying 500 people caught fire and capsized in the Congo River last week. The incident has left 148 people dead with over 100 more still missing, according to officials on Friday.

While dozens were saved, many of them sustained bad burns.

During the phone call, Sisi also reaffirmed the deep historical ties between Egypt and the DR Congo.

The call highlighted both sides' commitment to strengthening these bonds through broader cooperation, particularly in economic and developmental fields.

The conversation addressed regional conditions, focusing on ways to enhance cooperation among Nile Basin countries to achieve their common interests.

Both presidents emphasized the importance of commitment to consensus among the basin countries to strengthen cooperation frameworks and leverage available opportunities for mutual development.

The presidents also discussed the situation in Eastern Congo.

Sisi affirmed Egypt's commitment to supporting all regional and international initiatives aimed at reaching a political settlement to this crisis, thereby restoring stability to the region.