President Sisi’s Gulf tour begins in Doha

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is set to visit Doha on Sunday in the first leg of a Gulf tour that will also take him to Kuwait. 

The trip underscores Cairo’s efforts to deepen ties with Gulf partners while navigating delicate regional dynamics, particularly the war in Gaza.

While in Doha, President Sisi is scheduled to meet with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to discuss bilateral cooperation, regional developments, and efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire in Gaza. 

Both Egypt and Qatar have emerged as key Arab mediators in ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas. Talks have focused on halting the conflict, enabling humanitarian aid, and facilitating a prisoner exchange.

Egypt recently unveiled a new ceasefire proposal, reflecting its determination to de-escalate the crisis and mitigate its humanitarian fallout. Qatar, which maintains contact with Hamas, plays a crucial role in conveying proposals and shaping diplomatic outcomes.

The visit comes against the backdrop of a cautiously improving relationship between Cairo and Doha. 

In January 2021, both countries formally resumed diplomatic ties, ending a years-long rift that had seen Egypt join other Gulf states in severing relations with Qatar over allegations of support for terrorism and interference in domestic affairs.

Since then, high-level diplomatic exchanges and economic cooperation have marked a new chapter. In 2022, Qatar pledged over $5 billion in investments in Egypt, targeting key sectors like energy, infrastructure, and tourism.

Despite these advances, underlying tensions persist. Cairo remains wary of Qatar’s longstanding support for the Muslim Brotherhood, a group banned in Egypt and considered a threat to national security by the Sisi administration. 

This fundamental disagreement continues to cast a shadow over otherwise warming ties.

Sisi’s visit to Qatar will therefore serve both symbolic and strategic purposes—signaling reconciliation, reinforcing economic cooperation, and underscoring Egypt’s continued leadership in regional diplomacy.