Egypt’s role in AU: Comprehensive approach to peace, security, development

CAIRO – 7 February 2026: In preparation for the African Union Summit scheduled for February 14 and 15, and building on the momentum achieved by Egyptian diplomacy in 2025 within the institutions of the African Union and regional communities, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs continues its active role in strengthening Egypt’s presence within the framework of joint African action and supporting peace, security, and development efforts on the continent. 

This reflects the directives of the political leadership to deepen partnerships with African countries and solidify Egypt’s position as a key player in joint African action, said the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on Saturday.

Regarding support for peace and stability in Africa, the Ministry’s efforts, in coordination with national authorities and the African Union Commission, have resulted in the finalization of the Memorandum of Understanding concerning Egypt’s participation in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), paving the way for its signing. Furthermore, Egypt leveraged its chairmanship of the African Union’s Sub-Committee on Budget to secure $20 million in funding from the African Peace Fund and other AU resources to support the mission, demonstrating Egypt’s practical commitment to supporting security in the Horn of Africa.

As part of efforts to enhance Egypt’s presence within African Union institutions, Ambassador Mohamed Idris was appointed Permanent Representative of the African Union to the United Nations in New York, a move reflecting African confidence in Egyptian diplomacy and its pivotal role within the multilateral system.

The year 2025 also witnessed significant activity by Egypt in hosting, organizing, and chairing African and international events, most notably the 42nd meeting of the Steering Committee of Heads of State and Government of the African Union Development Agency (NEPAD), which was held under the chairmanship of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and with broad participation from African leaders. 

Egypt also followed up on the establishment of the Agency’s Development Fund in preparation for its presentation to the African Union Summit. Furthermore, Egypt hosted the second session of the Russia-Africa Ministerial Conference on December 19 and 20, 2025, reaffirming its position as a platform for dialogue between Africa and its international partners.

At the summit level, Egypt actively participated in the ordinary and extraordinary summits of the African Union, as well as the 7th Africa-Europe Summit, the Luanda Summit on Financing African Infrastructure, the 24th COMESA Summit, and the High-Level Forum on South-South Cooperation, reflecting the breadth of Egypt’s engagement and the diversity of its African agenda.

Regarding international nominations and positions, Egyptian efforts successfully secured African support for Dr. Khaled El-Enany’s candidacy for the post of Director-General of UNESCO, as the African Union’s nominee. Furthermore, Egypt secured several important positions within African Union institutions, including membership on the Board of Directors of the African Medicines Agency, the secondment of Egyptian experts to technical and leadership positions, and the appointment of Egyptian diplomats to head high-level African committees and mechanisms.

The Ministry also collaborated with various national entities in coordinating numerous files related to COMESA, the African Continental Free Trade Area, and the Presidential Project to Link Lake Victoria to the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the specialized technical committees of the African Union. Furthermore, it cooperated with various African bodies headquartered in Egypt, most notably the African Space Agency, the African Union Centre for Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development, the African Export-Import Bank, and the COMESA Regional Investment Agency.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs affirmed that these achievements reflect the active role of Egyptian diplomacy in Africa and its commitment to contributing effectively to building a more stable, integrated, and prosperous continent.