Egypt to offer 23 African countries medical aid worth US$ 2.2M: PM

CAIRO – 21 August 2020: Egypt has already sent US$ 1.6 medical aid to ten African countries to curb the repercussions of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, announced Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli in his speech a meeting of the Bureau of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government with Chairpersons of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) of the African Union via video-conference on Thursday.

He said that this aid is the first batch of Egypt’s assistance to the African countries, noting that the second and the third batches of the aid estimated at $2.2 million will be given 23 African countries. Madbouli affirmed that the COVID-19 crisis of the in the African continent requires continued cooperation and coordination among the countries.

As for the latest development in Mali, where the military forced the president Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta to resign on Wednesday, Madbouli expressed Egypt's concern over the accelerated political development, affirming Egypt's support for all political efforts aimed at reaching a settlement there.

The Prime Minister conveyed President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s greetings to his African leaders and the chairperson of the African Union (AU), South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on his his leadership and efforts to mitigate the epidemic’s impact on the continent.

The South African President also extended greetings to President Sisi on his solidarity with the African efforts in light of combating COVID-19 pandemic.