As tensions surrounding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) escalate, Egypt is launching a diplomatic offensive to rally African allies to its cause, focusing particularly on Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi has intensified efforts to engage President Félix Tshisekedi in a new diplomatic attempt to strengthen Egypt’s position in the contentious GERD dossier. A strategic meeting took place on Monday in Cairo, bringing together high-ranking envoys from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and key figures from Egypt's security apparatus.
Kombo Mondonjo Bola, Special Advisor to Félix Tshisekedi, along with Jack Tshisekedi, the Presidential Advisor on Internal Security, delivered a personal message from the Congolese President to Abdel Fattah al-Sissi. According to Egyptian Presidential Spokesperson Mohamed El-Shennawy, the message reaffirmed the DRC’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations with Egypt across various strategic domains.
During the meeting, President al-Sissi expressed enthusiasm for bolstering ties with Kinshasa, praising the positive trajectory of relations between the two nations. He emphasized the need to intensify cooperation in economic and technical sectors, particularly by mobilizing Egyptian companies to support development projects in the DRC.
This meeting occurs against a complex geopolitical backdrop marked by increasing tensions over the GERD. Built by Ethiopia on the Blue Nile, the dam has raised serious concerns in Cairo, which views it as a threat to its water resources. Heavily reliant on the Nile, Egypt is pursuing a strategy to rally African allies to counter Addis Ababa’s influence.
By engaging the DRC, a key player in the Congo Basin and an influential member of the African Union, Egypt is evidently aiming to build a broader diplomatic front. The objective is clear: secure Félix Tshisekedi’s support in GERD negotiations, where Egypt and Sudan are demanding a legally binding agreement on the dam’s management.
Mutual Strategic Support
Beyond Nile-related concerns, the DRC is a strategic partner for Egypt. Discussions during the meeting also touched on security challenges and ways to promote stability in Africa. The Congolese envoys commended Egypt’s active role in peacebuilding efforts on the continent while expressing gratitude for the technical and economic support offered by Cairo.
For his part, Abdel Fattah al-Sissi reaffirmed his support for Congolese initiatives for development and security, reiterating his commitment to aiding the DRC’s economic ambitions. This rapprochement reflects Egypt’s desire to expand its influence in Central Africa within a framework of mutual benefit.
Egypt’s diplomatic outreach to Kinshasa cannot be seen in isolation. It is part of a broader strategy to rebalance power dynamics in the region. As Addis Ababa continues the GERD’s implementation, Egypt is ramping up efforts to secure backing from its African neighbors.
Félix Tshisekedi, for his part, appears to understand the importance of this alliance. As a former African Union Chairperson, he plays a pivotal role in regional negotiations and could prove to be a valuable asset for Cairo in its quest for a compromise with Addis Ababa.
However, the success of this maneuver remains uncertain. While the DRC has incentives to strengthen its ties with Egypt, it might hesitate to take sides in such a delicate diplomatic conflict for fear of jeopardizing its own relations with Ethiopia.
