Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir welcomed his Egyptian
counterpart’s bid for re-election during his first visit to Egypt since
2016 and pledged further cooperation after a year of rocky relations
between the neighbouring countries.
Ties between the African countries have appeared to fray in
recent months, as Cairo grew restless over a Sudan-Turkey naval
agreement and a dispute over a dam Ethiopia is building on the Nile
river that runs through all three countries.
Sudan last year banned imports of all Egyptian agricultural
goods, a move analysts saw as largely political and tied to a litany of
Sudanese grievances, chief among them disputed land in Egypt’s south.
Sudan recalled its ambassador to Egypt in January without explanation, but allowed him to return earlier this month.
On Monday both leaders agreed to strengthen ties and work
together to bolster trade, military and energy cooperation, though the
trade spat was not mentioned.
“(We) discussed ways to achieve and promote our common
interests, in light of our full respect for (each country’s) internal
affairs and joint efforts to maintain the national security of both
countries,” Egypt’s Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said at a news conference
following the meeting.
Sisi is standing for re-election next week in a vote he is almost certain to win.
“We have timed our visit to reaffirm our support for stability in Egypt and for President Sisi,” Bashir said.
The two leaders vowed to cooperate in managing the effects
of the dam, which Egypt fears will cut into its share of the river. The
Nile provides virtually all of Egypt’s freshwater, serving as a lifeline
for the country’s 100 million people.
REUTERS
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