France, May 10 -- Macron held talks with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi before inaugurating the new campus of Senghor University, a French-speaking institution focused on development in Africa.

Both leaders praised the strength of bilateral relations, elevated to a strategic partnership in 2025. Macron highlighted growing trade and French investment, while Sisi called for expanded cooperation in sectors including industry, transport and education.

However, ties between Paris and Cairo have long drawn criticism from rights groups, like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International who accuse France of prioritising security and economic interests - including major arms sales - over concerns about political repression in Egypt.

The two lea...