As part of Egypt’s presidency of the African Peace and Security Council (PSC) for October, PSC delegations held several meetings with officials in Cairo and Port Sudan.
In Cairo, the PSC delegation met with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdel Aatty who outlined Egypt’s vision regarding the political, developmental, and security challenges facing Africa.
He emphasised Egypt’s efforts to strengthen collective security and stability across the continent, promote development and continental integration, and lead post-conflict reconstruction initiatives.
Another meeting was held with Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Abul Gheit to exchange views on joint Arab-African challenges and explore avenues for collaboration.
Furthermore, the PSC held its 1234th meeting on the Peace, Security, and Development Nexus in Africa: Bridging Gaps Between Policy and Practice, in Cairo. In particular, the PSC noted with serious concern the exponential growth of violent conflict and complex crisis situations threatening peace, security and stability in Africa. It reiterated the imperative to redouble PCRD, stabilization, transition and peacebuilding efforts, to prevent relapses and adopt renewed and integrated approaches to effectively address emerging threats, in the pursuit of the AU flagship project ‘Silencing the Gun’ and the Agenda 2063.
Additionally, the council’s presidency organised a visit to the Police Academy, recognized as one of Africa’s leading institutions for peacekeeping training.
During the visit, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Egyptian Peacekeeping Training Center and the African Union’s Peace and Security Department to enhance cooperation in police training for peace support operations.
On October 3, 2024, the PSC undertook a solidarity field mission to Port Sudan in the Republic of Sudan to engage with the transitional leadership of Sudan and key Sudanese stakeholders on successfully ending the current devastating conflict. The PSC was received by Lt. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council.
The PSC renewed the call for an immediate ceasefire and reiterated the AU’s commitment to intensify the close collaboration with all Sudanese stakeholders towards achieving comprehensive ceasefire and resumption of the political transition.
The PSC highlighted the upcoming meeting of the PSC Presidential Ad hoc Committee on Sudan scheduled for October 2024 in Entebbe, Uganda.
Equally of significance is the PSC direct consultation with Suliman Arcua Minnawi (Minni Minawi), Governor of Darfur, on the overall situation in Sudan, particularly in Darfur. The PSC also had fruitful engagements with the Attorney General; a Member of the Sovereignty Council in charge of humanitarian issues and a cross-section of political party and religious leaders, as well as representatives of the civil society.
Overall, the PSC field mission was undertaken as an expression of the AU’s solidarity with the people of Sudan. It also reaffirms the AU’s continued dedication to support Sudan to end the war and ensure a successful transition.
