During this month, Egypt will strive to strengthen the council's role as a key body responsible for upholding peace, security, and stability.

It will also focus on tackling developmental challenges confronting the African continent, read the statement.

Gad highlighted that Egypt's presidency of the council comes at a time of growing regional and international complexities, with escalating security challenges.

Therefore, he emphasized the need for collective efforts and open consultations to address these issues through a comprehensive approach to ensure stability and security in Africa while achieving the developmental goals of the AU's 2063 Agenda.

The AU Agenda 2063 is a strategic framework aimed at achieving inclusive and sustainable development across Africa over 50 years, with a focus on promoting economic growth, social progress, peace, security, and regional integration.

Busy Agenda
 

Egypt’s presidency agenda will also involve a visit from the PSC to Port Sudan, marking the first visit since the Sudanese crisis began in April 2023, he pointed out.

Gad elaborated that this visit underscores Egypt’s commitment to strengthening solidarity with the Sudanese people and supporting Sudanese national institutions.

The visit also aims to enables the PSC and the AU to assess the situation in Sudan on the ground and help the both bodies fulfil their responsibilities in advancing efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

Moreover, the agenda includes organizing visit to the Egyptian Peacekeeping Training Centre, affiliated with the Ministry of Interior. There will also be consultations with the Secretary-General of the Arab League.

As part of this agenda, Egypt will also host the annual consultations between the African Peace and Security Council, the United Nations Security Council, the African trio at the UN Security Council, and the UN Peacebuilding Commission.

Additionally, a joint session will be held between the Peace and Security Council and the Subcommittee of Permanent Representatives on Budget and Administrative Affairs, chaired by Egypt, to review the financing of African peace operations.

Further addressing regional stability, a dedicated session will focus on developments in Somalia and the plans following the withdrawal of the African Union Transition Mission, to bolster Somali state institutions in their fight against terrorism and promote long-term peace.

Other sessions will be held focusing on counterterrorism in Africa, the humanitarian situation on the continent, issues concerning women, peace and security, as well as climate, peace, and security.

Egypt as a PSC member

Egypt's recent election as a member of the African PSC for the 2024-2026 term, further solidifies its role in shaping the continent's security agenda, building on its leadership and ongoing initiatives during its current chairmanship of the PSC.

Egypt received an overwhelming majority of 44 out of 46 votes in the elections held on 14 and 15 February, reflecting the confidence of the region and the continent in Egypt's commitment to promoting peace, security, and stability in Africa.

The Peace and Security Council (PSC), fully operational since 2004, is the African Union's (AU) primary decision-making body responsible for preventing, managing, and resolving conflicts. It also plays a key role in implementing measures to combat international terrorism.

The PSC is composed of 15 non-permanent members elected by the AU Executive Council, with ten members serving two-year terms and five serving five-year terms.