Egypt’s President Lavishly Praises Trump on Social Media

Egypt’s president has lavished praise on President Donald Trump on social media, calling him a “man with unique power to confront crises.”

Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi’s comments are the latest public example of the two leaders’ closeness.

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<![endif]–> Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam is seen as it undergoes construction work on the river Nile in Guba Woreda, Benishangul Gumuz…

Egypt Says Washington to Host Nov. 6 Meeting on Ethiopia Dam Dispute

Egypt is worried that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, under construction near Ethiopia’s border with Sudan, will restrict supplies of already scarce Nile waters

El-Sissi thanked Trump late Monday for his “generous concern” for helping revive Egypt’s deadlocked dispute with Ethiopia over its construction of a massive upstream Nile dam.

A former army general who seized power in 2013 coup, el-Sissi has carried out a widespread crackdown on dissent, silencing critics and jailing thousands.

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<![endif]–> Egyptian Army Chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Sissi (C), is seen in Cairo's Nasr City district in this September 20, 2013, file photo.

How Egypt’s President Tightened his Grip

Behind the scenes, President Abdel Fatah el-Sissi’s closest advisers reworked the constitution to prolong his presidency and tighten his grip on Egypt. Not since the decades-long rule of Hosni Mubarak has so much power been concentrated in the hands of one man

Trump has avoided censuring el-Sissi for his repression, instead admiring his efforts to combat terrorism.

Trump has drawn criticism for his relationships with autocratic leaders such as North Korea’s Kim Jong Un and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

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