Guelleh, El Sisi talk GERD: President Abdel Fattah El Sisi yesterday discussed coordination on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in talks with his Djibouti counterpart, Ismail Guelleh, according to an Ittihadiya statement.

The two sides also signed MoUs on political consultation, renewable energy, and the establishment of an Egyptian logistics zone in Djibouti, plans for which have been in the works since 2019. El Sisi also stressed the importance of bolstering bilateral cooperation on trade, infrastructure, energy, health, aviation, education, and supporting SMEs.

Banque Misr lands in Djibouti + direct flights in the works? A Banque Misr branch will be opened in Djibouti soon, El Sisi said at a press conference following the meeting, adding that direct flights could also be launched between the two countries.

The meeting comes as Egypt ramps up efforts to increase African alliances in light of the ongoing GERD dispute, with El Sisi meeting with Senegalese President Macky Sall to discuss the crisis just last week. The Washington Post and the Associated Press also took note of the sit-down with Guelleh.