Sisi and Trump in Davos: Talks on Sudan and the Nile waters
In a high-level diplomatic move reflecting the depth of the strategic partnership between Cairo and Washington, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held an important meeting with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The discussions focused on pressing regional security issues, most notably the Sudanese crisis and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project.
Strategic partnership at a critical time
The meeting addressed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries in various political, economic, and security fields. This meeting comes at a time when the Middle East and North Africa region is facing unprecedented geopolitical challenges, necessitating ongoing coordination between major regional powers and the United States to ensure stability and prevent the escalation of conflicts.
The Sudanese crisis: Efforts to end the humanitarian tragedy
The Sudanese issue occupied a significant portion of the discussions, with the two presidents reviewing joint efforts to end the ongoing war in Sudan. The talks also addressed mechanisms for activating the work of the Quartet to push for a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire. The roots of this crisis trace back to the outbreak of armed conflict in mid-April 2023, which has caused widespread destruction of infrastructure and triggered one of the world's largest waves of displacement and refugees.
During the meeting, the Egyptian side emphasized the need to preserve Sudanese state institutions and prevent their collapse, stressing that Sudan's stability is an integral part of Egyptian and regional national security. Egypt plays a pivotal role in hosting hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees, in addition to leading neighboring countries' efforts to resolve the crisis politically, away from external interference that could exacerbate the conflict.
The Nile waters: an existential issue that is not open to compromise
Regarding the Nile water issue, President Sisi emphasized to his American counterpart that this matter is an “existential issue” for Egypt and its people, and cannot be compromised. The two leaders discussed developments concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the necessity of reaching a legally binding agreement that regulates the filling and operation of the dam, safeguarding the rights of all parties and preventing further tensions in the region.
American involvement in this matter is of particular importance, given Washington's international influence and its ability to exert diplomatic pressure to bridge the differences between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. The Egyptian position is based on principles of international law that guarantee no harm to downstream countries, especially during periods of drought and prolonged dry spells, which necessitates clear international guarantees.
Dimensions of the meeting and its expected effects
This meeting in Davos carries significant political weight, reaffirming the United States' active role in Middle Eastern and African affairs. This high-level coordination is expected to lead to new diplomatic initiatives in the coming period, which could help break the deadlock in negotiations concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), as well as intensify international pressure to end the suffering of the Sudanese people.
