Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and President Azali Assoumani of the Union of the Comoros underscored the need for a unified African approach to the continent’s challenges during a meeting in Cairo on Sunday, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency.
The two leaders held talks on pressing regional and continental issues, including developments in Gaza and Sudan, the security situation in the Horn of Africa, and the strategic importance of maintaining stability in the Red Sea. Discussions also addressed broader concerns within the African Union (AU), which Comoros chaired from February 2023 to February 2024.
Development challenges such as poverty, climate change, and debt relief featured prominently in the discussions. Both presidents emphasized the role of the Community of Sahel–Saharan States (CEN-SAD) in combating terrorism and reiterated the need for fair representation of African nations in global institutions.
At a joint press conference, President El-Sisi pointed to the shared Arab, African, and Islamic identity of Egypt and Comoros as a basis for stronger bilateral cooperation. He expressed Egypt’s readiness to support Comoros’ development, particularly the Emerging Comoros Plan (ECP), and to share Egypt’s experience in various development sectors.
El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to collaborating with Comoros in key areas such as healthcare, education, energy, fisheries, tourism, and infrastructure. Both countries, as members of the COMESA regional bloc, also pledged to promote deeper regional economic integration.
The two presidents witnessed the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding to enhance cooperation.
Trade between the two nations has seen steady growth. According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, Egypt’s exports to Comoros rose from \$1.49 million in 2018 to \$6.2 million in 2023, while Comoros’ exports to Egypt increased to \$1.35 million from \$446,000 over the same period, reflecting significant annual growth rates.