Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sissi and French President Emmanuel Macron made a symbolic stop at the famed Umm Kulthum Café in Cairo’s historic Khan al-Khalili bazaar on Sunday.
The visit, steeped in cultural significance, served as a poignant gesture amid the weight of ongoing discussions surrounding the Gaza conflict.
Named after the legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum, the café is a cornerstone of Cairo’s cultural identity and offered a vibrant, traditional setting as the two leaders engaged briefly with the public. Macron, in Cairo to attend a critical summit alongside leaders from Egypt and Jordan, took the opportunity to immerse himself in local heritage as the city bustled around him.
The casual visit came ahead of intensive trilateral talks focused on de-escalating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and strengthening regional security cooperation. As the conflict continues to exact a devastating toll, France has sought to expand its diplomatic role in the Middle East, with Macron calling for coordinated efforts to deliver aid and stabilize the region.
While their café stop was brief, the message was clear: diplomacy is not only forged in meeting rooms but also in moments of cultural connection. Macron and Al Sissi’s shared presence in one of Cairo’s most iconic landmarks underscored their countries’ enduring relationship and mutual interest in fostering peace through both policy and people.
The summit is expected to yield further dialogue on ceasefire mechanisms, humanitarian corridors, and joint diplomatic action—issues that remain at the heart of regional urgency.
