Egypt stress full support for Africa’s Sahel region in combating terrorism: Abdelatty to Niger FM

Ahram Online , Wednesday 30 Oct 2024

Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt's full support for Niger and Africa's Sahel region in combating terrorism, given the instability in the area due to the activities of terrorist groups.

Abdelatty to Niger FM
Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty and his Nigerian counterpart, Bakari Yao Sangare during a joint press conference in Cairo. Photo courtesy of Egyptian Foreign Ministry.


Abdelatty made these remarks during a joint press conference with his Nigerian counterpart, Bakari Yao Sangare, following discussions in Cairo on Wednesday.

He emphasized that Cairo supports national state institutions in the Sahel and actively provides assistance to strengthen these institutions in Niger, Mali, Gabon, and Burkina Faso. Egypt, he added, also helps these countries fight terrorism and dismantle its infrastructure.

Furthermore, Abdelatty noted Egypt's accumulated experience in fighting terrorism and its significant successes in this field.

During the press conference, he indicated that he discussed with his Nigerian counterpart the significance of stabilizing the Sahel region.

"The security and stability of the Sahel region are integral to Egypt's national security," Abdelatty stated, adding that the upcoming period will see a significant development in relations with Niger and all Sahelian countries.

Security Cooperation
 

Furthermore, Abdelatty noted that his discussions with Sangare also addressed cooperation between the two countries in security, training, and capacity building.

He added that they focused on increasing Nigerian trainees' benefits from the grants provided by Egyptian military academies for combating terrorism.

Abdelatty said a joint meeting on counter-terrorism will be held on Thursday in Cairo and that preparations are underway for the Nigerian Prime Minister's visit to Egypt.

On a different note, Abdelatty highlighted Egypt's eagerness to support and enhance relations with Niger, particularly in agriculture. He noted that Egypt has established a large model farm in Niger and intends to expand it to reclaim significant areas of agricultural lands there to the benefit of the people of the two countries.  

For his part, Niger's foreign minister Bakare Yao Sangare stated that Egypt possesses significant experience and capabilities that are crucial in addressing the threat of terrorism, highlighting that it is the most significant military force in Africa.

In addition, Sangare emphasized his country's commitment to enhancing cooperation with Egypt.

Palestinian cause
 

Abdelatty and Sangare also addressed the Palestinian cause and the ongoing Israeli aggression against Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.

Egypt emphasized the necessity for an immediate end to Israeli aggression, asserting that no country can achieve security through illusions of power, Abdelatty confirmed.

Egypt, along with the US and Qatar, has been mediating indirect talks between Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire deal during the more-than-one-year Israeli war on Gaza.

Since October 2023, Israel has killed and injured over 140,000 Palestinians, mostly children and women, damaged most of Gaza's infrastructure, and displaced the majority of the population.

Additionally, Israel expanded its war to Lebanon, where bombing has resulted in nearly 2,600 deaths and around 13,000 injuries.

Cairo has consistently cautioned about the risks of the Middle East slipping into a full-scale regional war.

On Tuesday evening, Egypt emphasized before the UN Security Council (UNSC) that Israel must withdraw from the Palestinian territories and Lebanon.

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