File Photo: Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1256th Emergency Ministerial meeting. Photo courtesy of PSC.
According to the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, FM Abdelatty made the remarks during his participation in a virtual ministerial session of the African Union PSC.
During the session, the Egyptian FM reiterated Cairo’s full rejection of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, calling it a clear violation of international law, the UN Charter, and the Constitutive Act of the African Union.
He said the move undermines the foundations of regional and global peace, particularly in the Horn of Africa.
Abdelatty also outlined Egypt’s vision for peace and development in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), emphasizing that the region’s current situation requires collective responsibility to support political, security, and development efforts aimed at ending the suffering of the Congolese people and establishing lasting peace.
He welcomed the signing earlier this month of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity and the Regional Economic Integration Framework by the Presidents of the DRC and Rwanda.
Abdelatty described these agreements as a vital step toward building trust and easing tensions between the two countries, while stressing the need to implement them fully.
He praised regional and international efforts that facilitated dialogue and encouraged both parties to sign the agreements, emphasizing the importance of ongoing mediation to ensure the comprehensive peace agreement is implemented.
Moreover, he affirmed Egypt’s full readiness to support and participate in any confidence-building arrangements, drawing on Egypt’s extensive experience in peacekeeping, particularly in light of its long-standing and distinguished participation in the UN Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO).
He also stressed the need to de-escalate tensions and halt hostilities to create a conducive environment for addressing security and humanitarian challenges in eastern DRC, laying the groundwork for constructive dialogue and restoring stability.
FM Abdelatty highlighted the importance of delivering humanitarian aid to ease the crisis’s impact on civilians in the DRC, while preserving the unity, integrity, and sovereignty of Congolese territory.
He underscored that achieving peace and stability must be linked to sustainable development through a comprehensive approach that addresses political, economic, military, and social dimensions of the conflict.
He also pointed to Egypt’s support for this approach, particularly under President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi’s leadership of post-conflict reconstruction and development at the African Union level, and Cairo's hosting of the African Union Centre for Post-conflict Reconstruction and Development.
FM Abdelatty renewed Cairo’s commitment to supporting development in the Great Lakes region through bilateral programmes in health, education, water resources, and capacity building, while welcoming the expansion of economic and investment cooperation to benefit the region’s people and strengthen peace and stability.
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