Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the president of the United Arab Emirates, arrived in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, on Wednesday, as reported by the UAE state news agency (WAM).
The purpose of his visit was not immediately disclosed.
In the past, the UAE, along with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, provided Egypt with significant grants, cash, and fuel shipments following the overthrow of President Mohamed Mursi in 2013 by then army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is now the president. This aid helped support Egypt’s economy, but a decade later, Egypt’s economy is once again facing severe challenges. Gulf monarchies, which previously provided aid without conditions, have now indicated a change in their policy.
Sheikh Mohammed, also known as MBZ, was welcomed at the airport by President Sisi, as shown in footage on Egyptian state TV. The two countries have maintained close political and economic ties. In December, Cairo secured a $3 billion financial support package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the country has also devalued its currency by half since March 2022, following economic vulnerabilities exposed by the fallout from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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