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Middle East
7 hours ago
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OPEN// Sisi meets African leaders at AU summit in Malabo
MALABO, July 13 (MENA) – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi met on Sunday with many African leaders on the sidelines of the African Union's mid-year coordination summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. According to Presidential Spokesman Mohamed El Shinawy, Sisi held talks with each of Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El-Ghazouani, Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema, Chairman of Libya's Presidential Council Mohamed Al-Menfi, and former Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou, who leads efforts on the African Continental Free Trade Area. He added that the meetings addressed ways of enhancing regional cooperation, development, and stability across the continent. (MENA) H A T/R E E
Middle East
7 hours ago
- Politics
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OPEN// Sisi reviews Egypt's efforts to promote peace in Africa
MALABO, July 13 (MENA) – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Sunday affirmed Egypt's full commitment to supporting the North African Region Capability (NARC) as part of Cairo's broader interest in revitalizing the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and its leading role in post-conflict reconstruction and development. This commitment also stems from Egypt's firm belief that peace is the foundation of development, and that integration is the path toward a better future for the continent, Sisi said during a speech he delivered at the African Union (AU)'s 7th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting, held in Equatorial Guinea. Sisi, the current chair of NARC, reviewed Egypt's efforts to ensure the preparedness of the North African Region Capability to promote peace across the African continent. These efforts come in light of Egypt's full belief in the importance of preparedness and readiness to safeguard the capabilities of the African peoples, protect them from various challenges, and fulfill their aspirations for security, stability, and prosperity, he said. He pointed out that the African continent faces a lot of complex and intertwined geopolitical challenges—ranging from armed conflicts and the spread of terrorism to transnational organized crime and the repercussions of climate change. These challenges pose a threat to the continent's security, stability, and development, and require collective efforts to be addressed, Sisi added. The Egyptian leader emphasized the need to revitalize and strengthen the regional mechanisms concerned with maintaining peace and security in Africa. He also underlined the importance of the African Standby Force (ASF) as a core pillar of the African Peace and Security Architecture with its regional components such as the North African Region Capability, currently chaired by Egypt. This system provides a multi-dimensional, well-equipped force with operational capacity and readiness to deploy in support of peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts, Sisi noted. (MORE) I S N/R E E
Middle East
7 hours ago
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OPEN// Sisi highlights NEPAD committee's development efforts under Egypt's leadership
MALABO, July 13 (MENA) — Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi reviewed the key initiatives undertaken by the Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), currently chaired by Egypt, during his participation on Sunday in the seventh Mid-Year Coordination Summit of the African Union in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. Presidential spokesperson Mohamed El-Shennawy said the summit addressed a range of pressing issues for the continent, including efforts to advance regional integration, promote intra-African trade, and confront regional and global challenges that impact Africa's development. The agenda also covered strategies to strengthen peace and security across the continent. Shennawy added that President Sisi delivered a statement on behalf of the NEPAD Orientation Committee, emphasizing the committee's pivotal role—under Egypt's leadership—in driving development across Africa. Key focus areas include closing the continent's development financing gap, accelerating the implementation of the AU's Agenda 2063, investing in human capital through health and education, and addressing the threat of climate change. Sisi also underscored that despite ongoing regional and international challenges, Africa holds vast potential and numerous opportunities for achieving sustainable development and prosperity. (MENA) R E E/
Middle East
7 hours ago
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OPEN// Sisi: Several African nations outpaced global growth despite challenges
MALABO, July 13 (MENA) — Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said on Sunday that despite challenging global conditions, several African countries have achieved economic growth rates that surpass the global average. Speaking on behalf of the Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), which Egypt currently chairs, Sisi delivered his remarks at the seventh Mid-Year Coordination Summit of the African Union, held in Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea. Sisi thanked member states of the committee for their cooperation in steering NEPAD's activities, which he said enabled the agency to fulfill its role as the AU's executive development arm. He also expressed appreciation to the agency's chief executive officer, Nardos Bekele-Thomas, for her leadership and innovative initiatives. 'I have had the honor of chairing the committee over the past two years, and I am convinced that the Africa we aspire to is within reach—not merely a dream,' Sisi said. 'Despite multiple internal and external challenges, many African nations have advanced significantly in areas such as health and education system reform, localizing vital industries, improving the investment climate, boosting intra-African trade, and progressing in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).' Sisi stressed that these developments underscore the importance of continued joint efforts to push forward the continent's development agenda and advance Africa's legitimate demands on the global stage. He noted that during Egypt's tenure, the committee focused on key priorities to accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2063 and pursue sustainable solutions to Africa's challenges through a holistic, root-cause-based approach. Among NEPAD's recent accomplishments, Sisi highlighted: — Bridging the Funding Gap: NEPAD, with the committee's guidance, completed a feasibility study for establishing a development fund aimed at mobilizing investment across the continent. He urged the African Union's relevant bodies to finalize and adopt the study so the fund can begin operations soon. — Infrastructure Development: NEPAD has expedited the identification and funding of priority infrastructure projects, valued at around $500 million, under the Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative. Efforts also continue in implementing green infrastructure corridors, a continental energy master plan, and the common African agricultural policy—all key to regional integration. — Human Capital Investment: NEPAD secured $100 million for the African Population Grant to support reproductive health services and another €100 million under the African Skills Initiative to enhance technical and digital skills, creating job opportunities for youth. — Climate Action: A NEPAD Centre of Excellence for climate change is being established in Cairo to support African countries in addressing existential climate threats. — Agency Expansion: NEPAD is increasing its presence across African states in response to national requests and priorities, with Sisi expressing pride in the growing number of agency offices continent-wide. In conclusion, Sisi said these efforts represent just a sample of the progress achieved over the past two years through NEPAD's work under the committee's supervision. He called on African leaders to use the summit to renew their commitment to advancing the African agenda and empowering NEPAD to continue fostering peace and development across the continent. (MENA) R E E/
Middle East
7 hours ago
- Politics
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OPEN// Sisi discusses with Ghanaian president ways to enhance action across Africa
MALABO, July 13 (MENA) - President Abdel Fattah El Sisi met on Sunday with Ghanaian President John Mahama to discuss ways to enhance collective African action and regional cooperation. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 7th Mid-Year Coordination Summit of the African Union, currently being held in Malabo in Equatorial Guinea. Presidential Spokesman Mohamed el Shennawy said that the two leaders discussed strategies to strengthen bilateral relations between Egypt and Ghana, focusing on areas of mutual interest that serve the development goals of both nations. The discussions reflected the shared commitment of Egypt and Ghana to deepening cooperation and building on the historical ties that unite the two countries, in a way that supports the aspirations of their peoples for prosperity and growth. The meeting also focused on enhancing collective efforts at the continental level, particularly in light of Ghana's hosting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and Egypt's chairmanship of the Council of African Ministers of Trade. The leaders reviewed ways to boost intra-African trade and address challenges hindering regional integration, as part of broader efforts to implement the goals of Agenda 2063. Regional issues were also high on the agenda. The two leaders exchanged views on the evolving situations in the African Sahel region, Somalia and Sudan, underscoring the urgent need to promote stability and peace as prerequisites for sustainable development throughout the continent. (MENA) M H K/R E E
