During an Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs (ECFA) annual conference entitled “National Water Security… Reality and the Future,” participants warned of Israeli presence not only in southern Sudan but also in Nile source countries. They said that Egypt had only recently begun to pursue a more active foreign policy on the African continent.
During the conference, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Mahmoud Abu Zaid said that recent deals between Egypt and a number of African countries have helped to bolster relations between Egypt and its African counterparts.
He lamented Egypt’s failure to invest in Nile Basin countries. He cited gulf investments in Nile Basin water resources as a “very serious matter.”
“We should be participating in these investments,” said Abu Zaid.
Warning of foreign interference in Nile Source countries and southern Sudan, he added that Egypt should begin to take immediate action. He added that Nile Basin countries reached a number of agreements such as a prohibition from “selling or transferring water outside the Nile Basin region” and a requirement of “prior notification before beginning new projects.” He said that Nile Basin countries agreed not to interfere with Egypt’s share of Nile water.
Mostafa al-Fiky, head of the legislature's foreign affairs committee, criticized the current political situation in Sudan. “Sudan is plagued with its worst regime in history since winning independence,” he said.
“This regime sold part of Sudan for a transitory political course based on religion." said al-Fiky. "Egypt will pay the price of Sudanese separation.”
Following southern Sudanese independence, “Egyptian policies towards Nile Basin countries will change completely. Luckily, Egypt has good relations with South Sudan since it did not partake in Sudan’s civil war,” he said.
“Sudanese secession will definitely affect the water issue, especially given Israel’s presence in the South,” he continued.
“Egypt has been and will continue to be Israel's target,” said al-Fiky.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
