President El-Sisi commends Trump, stresses Nile as Egypt’s lifeline, backs renewed mediation

CAIRO - 17 JANUARY 2026: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said he appreciates a message from U.S. President Donald Trump and his efforts to “entrench the pillars of peace and stability” at both regional and international levels, in remarks that also highlighted the centrality of the Nile River to Egypt’s national security and daily life.

In a statement, El-Sisi said he valued what Trump’s message included in terms of recognition of Egypt’s “pivotal role” in supporting regional security and stability, while underlining Egypt’s long-standing position on safeguarding its water resources.

El-Sisi also welcomed Trump’s attention to the Nile issue, stressing that the river represents “the lifeline of the Egyptian people,” and linking Egypt’s water security concerns to a framework of cooperation based on international law and mutual benefit.

The comments came as Trump offered to restart U.S. mediation between Egypt and Ethiopia over Nile water sharing, an issue sharpened by Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which Egypt views as a potential threat to its water security if not governed by clear, enforceable rules.

According to Reuters, Trump conveyed the offer in a letter to El-Sisi, signaling Washington’s interest in re-engaging on the dossier amid continued tensions between downstream and upstream states over the Nile’s future management.

El-Sisi said Egypt remains committed to “serious and constructive” cooperation with Nile Basin countries, grounded in principles of international law, to achieve shared interests “without harming any party.”

In a separate statement referenced in local coverage, El-Sisi said he had sent a letter to Trump expressing thanks and appreciation, while also reiterating Egypt’s position and concerns related to water security and the Nile issue.

Egypt has repeatedly framed the Nile as a matter of national survival, given the country’s heavy reliance on the river for its water needs, while calling for arrangements that preserve its rights and protect it from harm.

The wider issue has centered on how the GERD is filled and operated, and on whether binding mechanisms exist to manage prolonged droughts and protect downstream flows. Ethiopia, for its part, has argued the dam is essential for development and electricity generation.

Trump’s outreach to Cairo also referenced Egypt’s role in regional diplomacy, including mediation efforts linked to the Gaza ceasefire track, according to an EgyptToday report.

El-Sisi’s response, meanwhile, sought to balance appreciation for the U.S. message with a reaffirmation of Egypt’s core principles on the Nile, presenting cooperation as the preferred path while keeping water security at the center of Egypt’s stance.