Egypt strengthens influence in Africa through church
The Egyptian government is working through the Egyptian Orthodox Church in Africa, especially in the Nile Basin countries, as part of a soft power strategy to boost its influence in light of the crisis over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
Egypt is taking advantage of the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church's charitable and development projects in Africa to boost its influence on the continent, especially in the Nile Basin countries.
On Sept. 27, the patriarch of the Orthodox Church, Pope Tawadros II, promised Burundi Ambassador to Egypt Sheikh Rashid Malachi Nyirajera that the Church would continue to provide educational and health support to the Burundian people.
During a meeting with Nyirajera at the papal headquarters in Cairo, Tawadros said he hopes “the projects carried out by the church in Burundi will remain effective and beneficial to the Burundian people,” noting “the church supports the Egyptian state in Burundi and all African countries.”
Nyirajera, for his part, expressed “the Burundian government's appreciation for the services provided by the Coptic Orthodox Church in the name of Egypt to serve the Burundian people in terms of health and education.
