(AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI)
Interim President Adly Mansour sent letters to leaders of African nations ahead of an African Union Peace and Security Council meeting, which will include a discussion on developments in Egypt.
The Peace and Security Council will “consider… the Report of the African Union High Level Panel for Egypt” that has visited Egypt twice since the council suspended Egypt’s activities within the council in July last year, days after the ouster of former President Mohamed Morsi. The panel were among a handful of diplomats permitted to meet with Morsi while he was being held in an undisclosed location following his removal.
In his letter to African leaders, Mansour included information on “the progress made on the implementation of the roadmap”, highlighting the referendum that resulted in the approval of the newly amended constitution, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He described the referendum as a “milestone” for Egypt, adding that the results provide “conclusive evidence of the determination of the Egyptian people… to achieve their will to establish a democratic state that protects the rights and freedoms of all Egyptians and responds to their aspirations for freedom, human dignity and social justice.”
Mansour also “emphasised Egypt’s resolve” to continue with the roadmap, as set out by the armed forces following Morsi’s ouster, with the next stage being presidential elections, the date of which is yet to be announced. The interim president said that out of Egyptian’s “struggle there is a triumph of human values, freedom and peace”, adding that it is a “victory” for countries in Africa and the rest of the world “that have long suffered from the atrocities of terrorism.” He said that Egypt “has always been keen to communicate continuously its brothers and inform them of developments.”
Following Egypt’s suspension the foreign ministry launched diplomatic efforts to resume its activities within the union. Diplomats were dispatched around Africa to “explain the truth of the developments that occurred in Egypt recently.”
At the end of the panel’s last visit, the head of the delegation, former president of Mali Alfa Omar Konari urged groups in Egypt to back the transitional roadmap. He stressed the decision surrounding Egypt’s status within the union is the responsibility of the Peace and Security Council.
Egypt was “very surprised” when it emerged that it had been left off the guest list for a high level US-Africa summit. US officials cited Egypt’s suspension as the reason why Egypt did not receive an invitation, according to AFP. The ministry rejected this, saying “the summit is not being held under the auspices of the African Union and is simply a summit between the United States and African countries.”
