Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty underscored Cairo’s commitment to advancing peace and stability across Africa while presenting the annual report of the African Union Peace and Security Council at the AU summit in Addis Ababa. He conveyed greetings from President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, who chairs the council this month, and called for a comprehensive strategy to address security challenges. The report highlighted meetings and decisions related to conflicts and political transitions.
During the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty presented the annual report of the African Union Peace and Security Council, reaffirming Egypt’s commitment to enhancing peace and stability on the continent. The minister conveyed greetings from President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, who chairs the council this month, and called for a comprehensive strategy to tackle interconnected security challenges such as terrorism and foreign interference, while bolstering early warning systems, preventive diplomacy, and mediation to contain crises before escalation.
Abdelatty noted that the council held around 70 meetings over the past year, covering 80 agenda items, with conflicts and political transitions accounting for 36% of discussions and thematic issues 34%. It convened five emergency sessions on developments in Madagascar, Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, and Benin, reaffirmed rejection of unconstitutional government changes, and issued 63 communiqués.
Regarding specific conflicts, he highlighted the lifting of suspensions on Gabon and Guinea after presidential elections restored constitutional order. The mandate of the Multinational Joint Task Force against Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin was renewed, and the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia made progress despite funding shortfalls. The minister urged predictable and sustainable financing to ensure the mission’s continuity.
On Sudan, the council continues to monitor developments closely and supports efforts for a ceasefire and comprehensive political settlement preserving the country’s unity and sovereignty. It also reiterated support for African states in political transitions and the AU’s “Silencing the Guns” goal under Agenda 2063.
On the summit’s sidelines, Abdelatty met Mafalda Duarte, Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund, to discuss expanding African access to climate finance, stressing the need to scale up funding for mitigation and adaptation projects in developing countries. He also discussed with Commissioner Litha Musyimi-Ogana of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights ways to strengthen cooperation on human rights, including exchanging best practices in rehabilitation centers, women’s empowerment, and child protection.
In separate meetings with the African Export-Import Bank, the African Development Bank, and the African Union Development Agency, the minister emphasized accelerating continental economic integration, boosting intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, and expanding partnerships to support investment, infrastructure, and private sector growth. He stated Egypt aims to attract further investment by leveraging its strategic location, logistics capacity, and infrastructure.
At the summit, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reaffirmed Africa as the United Nations’ top priority, calling for African representation on the UN Security Council, peaceful political processes in Libya, an end to violence and terrorism in the Sahel, and noting the continent could become a major global energy driver if its resources are harnessed effectively. AU Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf called for an end to the killing of Palestinians, saying the situation in Palestine challenges the global conscience. The two-day summit is discussing conflicts in Sudan and the Sahel, water security, debt burdens, sanitation challenges, and expansion of intra-African trade.