Trump thanks Sisi for Egypt’s mediation in Gaza ceasefire, offers to mediate GERD talks

CAIRO – 16 January 2026: In a letter to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, US President Donald Trumpt thanked him for his leadership in mediating a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. He also praised Egypt’s steady role in handling regional security and humanitarian challenges since October 7, 2023, acknowledging the heavy impact of the war on Egypt and its people.

In the letter posted on his Truth account, Trump expressed his willingness to restart U.S. mediation between Egypt and Ethiopia to resolve the Nile water-sharing issue, emphasizing the river’s vital importance to Egypt. He stressed that no country should unilaterally control Nile resources and supports a fair, transparent agreement benefiting Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. 

Trump proposed a U.S.-led role in monitoring negotiations to ensure predictable water flows during droughts while allowing Ethiopia to generate electricity from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), potentially shared with neighbors. He highlights resolving GERD issues as a top priority for regional peace in Africa and the Middle East.

According to the letter, Trump cced leaders of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Ethiopia and Sudan.

Here is the text of the letter

“Dear President El Sisi,

I thank you for your leadership in successfully mediating a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. I recognize and admire your steady role in managing the many security and humanitarian challenges that have faced this region, and your own people, since October 7, 2023.

In the spirit of our personal friendship and America's commitment to peace and the well-being of Egypt's people, I am ready to restart U.S. mediation between Egypt and Ethiopia to responsibly resolve the question of ‘The Nile Water Sharing’ once and for all.”

 

My team and I understand the deep significance of the Nile River to Egypt and its people, and I want to help you achieve an outcome that assures the water needs of Egypt, the Republic of the Sudan, and Ethiopia, long into the future. The United States affirms that no state in this region should unilaterally control the precious resources of the Nile, and disadvantage its neighbors in the process. 

 

I believe that with the right technical expertise, fair and transparent negotiations, and a strong United States role in monitoring and coordinating between parties, we can achieve a lasting agreement for all Nile Basin Nations. A successful approach will guarantee predictable water releases during droughts and prolonged dry years for Egypt and the Sudan, while allowing Ethiopia to generate very substantial amounts of electricity, perhaps some of which can be given, or sold, to Egypt and/or the Sudan.

 

Thank you once again for the friendship and partnership you have provided to me and to the people of the United States. Resolving the tensions around the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is at the very top of my agenda, as I work for lasting peace in the Middle East and Africa.”