Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has outlined a strategic vision for regional stability, calling for an emergency African Union session to reject Israel’s recognition of Somaliland while offering peacekeeping support for eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a virtual ministerial session of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council on Monday, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty expressed Egypt’s complete rejection of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, describing the move as a flagrant violation of international law, the UN Charter, and the African Union’s Constitutive Act. He warned that it undermines the foundations of peace in the Horn of Africa, reaffirming Egypt’s commitment to Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and demanding a formal AU session to address these unilateral measures.
Turning to the Great Lakes region, Abdelatty welcomed the final peace agreement and regional economic integration framework signed between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda in Washington on December 4, 2025. He characterized the deal as a vital step for building trust and de-escalating tensions, urging both nations to remain committed to its implementation.
The minister emphasized Egypt’s readiness to draw on its extensive experience in UN peacekeeping—particularly its long-term involvement in the DRC—to support new confidence-building arrangements. He argued that lasting stability demands a comprehensive approach integrating political, military, and developmental dimensions. “The current stage requires collective responsibility to support the political and security paths aimed at ending the suffering of the Congolese people,” Abdelatty said.
He highlighted that President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi leads the AU’s post-conflict reconstruction and development portfolio, noting that Cairo hosts the dedicated center for these efforts. Abdelatty stressed the importance of immediate de-escalation on the ground to facilitate humanitarian aid and protect civilians, reiterating Egypt’s support for the DRC’s territorial integrity and pledging continued bilateral cooperation in health, education, and water resource management to foster regional prosperity.