Egypt's Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy (Photo: AP)
The African Union's (AU) high level panel on Egypt called on the country’s political forces to support the transitional roadmap as a way out of the current crisis.
“We hope that all parties meet together around the roadmap,” Alpha Oumar Konare, head of the panel and former Malian president, said on Wednesday.
In addition, Konare insisted Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood must be part of the transition, AFP reported, even though the group has refused to enter into dialogue with the new government, which it considers "illegitimate".
The panel, headed by former Malian president, Alpha Oumar Konaré, met with foreign minister, Nabil Fahmy, during the AU's second visit to the country since president Mohamed Morsi’s ouster.
It also met with Egypt’s Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb, as well as Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II, the National Council for Human Rights and various political and youth groups.
The AU suspended Egypt from membership on 5 July, following Morsi’s deposition by the army amidst mass nationwide protests against him, citing AU legislation against “unconstitutional changes of government.”
However, member of the panel and former PM of Djibouti, Dileita Mohamed Dileita, told Ahram Hebdo on Friday that the panel’s report will recommend the lifting of this suspension.
“We will ask, not only for the lifting of the suspension, but that this takes place as soon as possible. After writing our report, we will promptly convene a meeting of the PSC to make a recommendation to the Council of the African Ministers of Foreign Affairs,” Dileita said.
“The decision should take effect in early October, after the end of the UN General Assembly in late September,” he added.
The panel last visited Egypt in late July and met with Interim President Adly Mansour, army Commander-In-Chief, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and deposed president Mohamed Morsi.
They also visited the Islamist-led, pro-Morsi sit-ins in Cairo before security forces dispersed them on 14 August, sparking a wave a violence nationwide that has left around 900 dead, including 100 policemen.
Short link: