Ashraf AboArafe
In continuation of the series of meetings he is holding during his current visit to the US capital, Washington, Dr. Badr Abdel Aati, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs, met on September 20 with the US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa “Mike Hammer” and the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs “Molly Phee”.
Ambassador Tamim Khalaf, the official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Minister Abdel Aati stressed during the meeting that the Horn of Africa region occupies a high position in the priorities of Egyptian foreign policy, in light of its direct connection to Egyptian national security, and Egypt’s keenness to support efforts to achieve stability and restore security in the countries of the Horn of Africa region, in addition to combating terrorism, extremism and organized crime in this region that is vital to regional and international security, and to secure international navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration pointed out Egypt’s keenness to engage in strengthening the structure of peace, security and sustainable development in the African continent, in light of the leadership of His Excellency the President of the Republic in the file of post-conflict reconstruction and development in the African Union, and Egypt’s hosting of the African Union Center for Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (AUCPCRD), and the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA).
The official spokesman added that Dr. Abdel Aati stressed Egypt’s keenness to achieve stability in the Republic of Somalia by supporting the central state institutions, enhancing respect for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as supporting the efforts of the Federal Government of Somalia aimed at achieving security, combating terrorism and enforcing the state’s sovereignty over its territory, within the framework of Egypt’s interest in assuming its responsibilities in contributing to maintaining regional and international peace and security in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter, the Constitutive Act of the African Union, and the Charter of the League of Arab States. From this standpoint, Egypt provides support to the Somali brothers in the field of building security and military capabilities, in light of Egypt’s long experience and leadership in the field of combating terrorism, achieving security and enforcing the law.
The meeting also discussed exchanging views on a number of regional issues of common interest, especially the ongoing arrangements for the new African Union mission to Somalia, taking into account the importance of enhancing stability in Somalia, which is reflected in securing international trade movement in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, combating terrorism and cross-border organized crime, and illegal immigration to Europe.
