Egypt Reaffirms Commitment To African Stability At AU Summit: FM Abdelatty

(MENAFN- Daily News Egypt) Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty underscored Cairo's commitment to advancing peace and stability across the continent as he presented the annual report of the African Union Peace and Security Council during the African Union summit in Addis Ababa.

Addressing African leaders gathered to discuss conflicts, climate finance and economic development, Abdelatty conveyed greetings from President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, who currently chairs the Peace and Security Council for the month. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive strategy to tackle interconnected security challenges, including terrorism and foreign interference, while strengthening early warning systems, preventive diplomacy and mediation to contain crises before they escalate.

Abdelatty noted that the council held approximately 70 meetings over the past year, covering 80 agenda items. Conflicts and political transitions accounted for about 36% of discussions, while thematic issues made up 34%. The council convened five emergency sessions addressing developments in Madagascar, Sudan, Guinea-Bissau and Benin, reaffirmed its rejection of unconstitutional changes of government and issued 63 communiqués.

On specific conflict situations, he highlighted the lifting of suspensions on Gabon and Guinea following presidential elections that restored constitutional order. He also pointed to the renewal of the mandate of the Multinational Joint Task Force combating Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin and progress by the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, despite funding gaps. Abdelatty called for predictable and sustainable financing to ensure the mission's continuity.

Turning to Sudan, he said the council continues to closely monitor developments and supports efforts toward a ceasefire and a comprehensive political settlement that preserves the country's unity and sovereignty. He reiterated backing for African states undergoing political transitions and reaffirmed the AU's“Silencing the Guns” goal under Agenda 2063.

On the sidelines of the summit, Abdelatty met Mafalda Duarte, Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund, to discuss expanding African access to climate finance. He stressed the importance of scaling up funding for mitigation and adaptation projects in developing countries and enhancing cooperation to support national climate initiatives and sustainable development.

The minister also held talks with Commissioner Litha Musyimi-Ogana of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights on strengthening cooperation in human rights, including the exchange of best practices in rehabilitation centres, women's empowerment and child protection, while maintaining dialogue with African human rights mechanisms.

In separate meetings with the African Export-Import Bank, the African Development Bank and the African Union Development Agency, Abdelatty emphasized accelerating continental economic integration, boosting intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area and expanding partnerships to support investment, infrastructure development and private sector growth. He said Egypt aims to attract further investment by leveraging its strategic location, logistics capacity and infrastructure.

The summit comes as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reaffirmed that Africa remains the United Nations' top priority. He called for African representation on the UN Security Council, urged peaceful political processes in Libya and an end to violence and terrorism in the Sahel, and said the continent could become a major global energy driver if its resources are effectively harnessed.

Opening the session, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chair of the African Union Commission, called for an end to what he described as the killing of Palestinians, saying the situation in Palestine challenges the global conscience. Leaders are also discussing conflicts in Sudan and the Sahel, water security, debt burdens, sanitation challenges and the expansion of intra-African trade during the two-day summit.

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