El-Sisi sends message to Burkina Faso's Traoré as Egypt deepens West Africa outreach - Foreign Affairs
The letter, according to Egypt's foreign ministry, reaffirmed Cairo's commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and promoting regional security, particularly in the face of mounting threats from armed groups in the Sahel.
Abdelatty, who is on a multi-country tour of West Africa, emphasized Egypt's readiness to deepen investment in sectors ranging from construction and energy to agriculture and pharmaceuticals. He was accompanied by a delegation of 30 business leaders from major Egyptian firms.
Egypt is also courting diplomatic backing. Abdelatty expressed appreciation for Burkina Faso's support of Egypt's candidate for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General, Khaled El-Enany, framing the nomination as a pan-African endeavour.
Traoré praised Egypt's support for African states and pledged to facilitate Egyptian business activity in Burkina Faso. He also reaffirmed his country's support for El-Enany's candidacy.
In security discussions, Abdelatty highlighted Egypt's 'comprehensive' counterterrorism strategy, which he said includes development and religious outreach alongside military measures.
He offered Egyptian support in building Burkina Faso's national capacity, citing Al-Azhar's educational efforts and its scholarship programme for Burkinabe students.
For his part, President Traoré conveyed his greetings and appreciation to President El-Sisi, praising Egypt's historic role in supporting African nations.
Burkina Faso marks the second stop on Abdelatty's five-nation tour, which includes Nigeria, Niger, Mali, and Senegal. The tour follows Egypt's active role in the 47th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU) earlier this month and comes amid regional shifts in security and diplomacy as Western alliances in the Sahel retreat.
There, Abdelatty held talks with African leaders and AU officials to strengthen political ties, enhance trade, and promote investment, particularly in energy, construction, healthcare, and infrastructure. He also pushed for stronger African coordination on regional challenges.
Counterterrorism topped the agenda in his meeting with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commissioner Abdel-Fatau Musah in Abuja, where Abdelatty called for a practical framework to deepen Egypt–ECOWAS cooperation against extremism.
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Al-Ahram Weekly
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Egypt leads Palestinian assistance drive - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
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The Rafah Crossing is an economic and security gateway on the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid into the Strip and the exit of travellers and wounded Palestinians. When the Israeli army took control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah Crossing on 2 March, Egypt announced it would not coordinate with it in order not to avoid legitimising its occupation. The Israeli forces have prevented the entry of aid, fuel, civil defence supplies and shelter for the displaced who have lost their homes in Gaza. They have also refused to bring in the heavy equipment necessary for removing the rubble and carrying out reconstruction in the Gaza Strip. President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi explained in a televised speech on Monday that the Rafah Crossing is a gateway for individuals and is operating not only from the Egyptian side but also from the other side. He noted that the Gaza Strip is in need of 600 to 700 trucks of humanitarian aid every day. 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The delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza this week came after the Israeli army declared a 10-hour 'truce' during which military operations were suspended in three areas of the Gaza Strip: Gaza City in the north; Deir Al-Balah in the centre; and Khan Younis in the south. The pause in military activity will take place from 10am to 8pm each day until further notice, the Israeli army said. Most media outlets agree that pressure exerted by the UN, Egypt, and Qatar compelled Israel to allow the delivery of aid through the Rafah Crossing and to declare a 10-hour truce. The Gaza government's Media Office, however, said on Monday evening that Israel had allowed no more than 87 aid trucks into the Strip, the majority of which were looted and stolen. It indicated that the occupation forces had opened the way for the trucks to enter, only for them to fall into the hands of criminal gangs and thieves under their direct protection. North Sinai Governor Khaled Megawer said the trucks that departed from the Rafah Land Port in North Sinai this week were part of Egypt's ongoing efforts to alleviate the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Strip. 'All the Egyptian state authorities are working around the clock to coordinate efforts to deliver as much aid as possible to the besieged Palestinians in Gaza,' Megawer said. He indicated that in addition to the humanitarian aid given by the Egyptian Red Crescent, the Al-Azhar-affiliated Beit Al-Zakat (House of Alms) also sent a relief convoy carrying hundreds of tons of food and medical supplies plus 1,000 tents to shelter Palestinians who have lost their homes during the war. Former foreign minister and chairman of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs Mohamed Al-Orabi stressed that Egypt's role and contributions to efforts to find a solution to the Palestinian problem are well-known. 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'The entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza this week confirmed to all that this group is lying and that it is not Egypt that is closing the Rafah Crossing, but it is Israel that has occupied the Palestinian side of the crossing since March and prevented any flow of aid,' Al-Orabi said. MP Mahmoud Hussein, head of the Central Secretariat for Egyptians Abroad, said the banned Muslim Brotherhood's lies about the Rafah Crossing and its calls for demonstrations in front of Egyptian embassies abroad aim to politicise the plight of the Palestinians in Gaza. 'This group's calls are intended to secure internal political gains rather than hold Israel accountable or to put it under international pressure to end the war,' Hussein said. * A version of this article appears in print in the 6 August, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Daily News Egypt
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Benin Grants Citizenship to African Diaspora Descendants, Including US Singer Ciara
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