Egypt supports Democratic Congo to chair African Union in 2021

CAIRO – 17 December 2020: In the framework of Egypt's support to the Democratic Congo to chair the African Union (AU) in 2021, a Congolese delegation visited Cairo on Wednesday to explore ways of cooperation, particularly training of diplomatic cadres and coordination over African affairs.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry received on December 16 the coordinator of the unit in charge of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s upcoming chairmanship of the African Union for 2021, Professor Alphonse Ntumba Luaba.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Ahmed Hafez stated that the meeting comes in the framework of the Congolese side’s preparations for its upcoming chairmanship of the African Union, and its keenness to benefit from the successful Egyptian experience in this regard in light of President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi’s assumption of the AU chairmanship in 2019.

Hafez added that the meeting discussed means to support the upcoming Congolese AU Chairmanship on the substantive, technical and logistical levels, in coordination with the concerned ministries and national authorities, with the possibility of training Congolese cadres in various relevant themes, such as protocol and conferences, as Shoukry expressed in this regard Egypt's eagerness to contribute through its expertise in supporting the DRC during its mandate in light of the excellent bilateral ties binding the two sisterly countries.

The meeting also addressed the historical relations between Egypt and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and aspects to promote and support them in various areas of bilateral cooperation, in addition to reviewing recent developments in the region and their implications for continental peace and security, as well as a number of regional and international issues of concern to both countries.

Hafez concluded his remarks by noting that Minister Shoukry affirmed the importance of coordination to achieve concrete and specific results to advance joint African action in line with the Development Agenda 2063, including the operationalization of the Continental Free Trade Area, while stressing the need to enhance joint cooperation in order to overcome the Coronavirus pandemic and address its ensuing economic and social challenges.