Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri asserted Egypt’s pride in being one of the top countries contributing to UN peacekeeping operations. He also highlighted Egypt’s continuous efforts in this regard, including the recent opening of the Egyptian centre for training on peacekeeping operations.
The foreign minister’s remarks as he participated via video conference in the ministerial meeting of the African Peace and Security Council which was held to discuss peacekeeping operations in the African continent, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Hafez said.
Minister Shoukri also referred to Egypt’s stance towards giving priority to peaceful solutions to disputes, stressing the African ownership of solutions to African problems.
Minister Shoukri also explained the multiple and overlapping challenges facing peacekeeping missions in Africa, noting that these challenges have exacerbated the difficulties and complexities of the environment of peacekeeping operations, on top of which are the extremely dangerous security situations in the areas of operations, the growing terrorist threats and their overlap with organised crime activities in addition to political complications in conflict areas and the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, climate change and water scarcity.
In this regard, Minister Shoukri was keen to stress the elements of the Egyptian stance on this issue. He explained the importance of strengthening the interdependence between peacekeeping and peacebuilding activities in such a way that would contribute to addressing the root causes of armed conflicts and strengthens the peace, security and development.
He also called for the provision of adequate and sustainable funding for peacekeeping operations to guarantee their success in performing their tasks.
He also highlighted the need for strengthening partnership between the United Nations and the African Union and boosting women’s participation in peacekeeping operations as well as paying particular attention to the issue of security and safety of peacekeepers in the light of the marked increase in hostilities targeting them.
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