A raïs, then another, on the steps of the Élysée: Emmanuel Macron spoke, Friday July 22, with the strong man of Egypt, in Paris, a few days after having received the president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, himself close to the power of former soldier Abdel Fattah al-Sissi 

Amid growing concern over the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on global food supplies, the pair discussed ways to address the "economic, energy and global food security consequences of this conflict," the Elysee said in a statement.

In addition, Egypt is to host the COP 27 climate summit in Sharm El-Sheikh in November.

The two presidents therefore took stock of environmental issues and the fight against global warming, as well as the main issues of bilateral cooperation, "very dense in all areas".

Last year, the Egyptian military ordered 30 more Rafale jets from French defense firm Dassault Aviation, as part of a multibillion-dollar defense contract signed with Paris.

Franco-Egyptian proximity, discomfort with NGOs

During his tenure, Emmanuel Macron attached considerable importance to relations with Egypt.

During a state visit in December 2020, he presented Sissi with the highest French distinction, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor, which had aroused the ire of human rights defenders.

Human rights NGOs have long expressed unease with the Egyptian president's visits, saying France should do more to draw attention to the estimated 60,000 political prisoners languishing in Egyptian jails.

The Elysée also specified in its press release that "As part of the dialogue of trust between France and Egypt, the question of human rights was also addressed."

The case, in particular, of the dissident Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah, who has been on a hunger strike for more than 100 days after being sentenced in December to five years in prison, raises serious concerns.

The press freedom organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) had, before the meeting, asked Emmanuel Macron not to "ignore the fate of Alaa Abdel Fattah... and of all the journalists detained ".

With AFP

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