Egypt vows to settle disputes in Africa and make the Special African Summit a success

Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit stated that Egypt continues to contact all concerned parties to make the Special African Summit a success.

The summit is to be held on August 31st, to discuss and settle the disputes in Africa with the initiative of the Leader of the Libyan Revolution and current Chairman of the African Union. The Summit will focus on the three severest disputes in Africa; in Darfur, Somalia and the Great Lakes.

Aboul Gheit added that the most recent of the Egyptian efforts is hosting the Quadripartite Meeting, two days ago, which witnessed the participation of the US Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration, the Foreign Ministers of Egypt and Libya, and Advisor to the Sudanese President in charge of Darfur dossier to coordinate efforts in order to achieve a real and sustainable peace, and discussing the achievement of Sudanese-Chadian reconciliation.

The Foreign Minister added that the Egyptian visions to settle the African disputes do not stem from narrow national interests, but stem from an Egyptian sense of responsibility towards the African brothers, employing in this regard its expanded and accumulated diplomatic expertise in resolving disputes, as well as the Egyptian contributions to the peacekeeping efforts. Aboul Gheit outlined that Egypt participates in almost all UN peacekeeping operations in Africa, and will soon be ranked the 5th or 6th among the countries participating in peacekeeping operations. Aboul Gheit further added that the biggest of the Egyptian contributions –which is not a matter of coincidence- are those in the UN missions in Sudan, Darfur, DR Congo, which constitute the disputes that are to be discussed in the Special Tripoli Summit.

As for the most prominent African disputes that might witness a breakthrough due to the efforts of the African leaders during the Special Tripoli Summit, the Foreign Minister stated that the wise and discreet African balance between the concerns and suspicions of Sudan and Chad, which has frequently aborted the efforts to settle the deep disputes between both sides, might enable Africa to succeed in bridging the gap between the Sudanese and Chadian sides. Aboul Gheit pointed out that the tensions in eastern DR Congo obviously decreased due to the successful political understandings between the leaderships of Rwanda and DR Congo, which sets an example for the possibility of repeating such a successful experience.

The Foreign Minister asserted that Egypt is keen on an active participation in the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region to assist all countries of the region to achieve sustainable development after restoring stability and achieving the required peace and security.

Aboul Gheit also stated that Egypt effectively participates in the African Panel of the Wise- which is concerned with achieving reconciliation and peace in Darfur, and pushes towards reaching an executable and comprehensive vision that balances between all considerations related to achieving peace in Darfur.

As for Somalia, Aboul Gheit stated that Egypt sees the international community hesitant towards Somalia in critical moments during which Somalia is in more need for support. He also asserted the importance of a regional and international vision to deal with the Somali issue that includes clear steps and division of roles to contribute to achieving a final settlement for the deteriorating political, security and humanitarian conditions in Somalia.

According to Ecoterra International, Egypt however has to prove first that it stands with both legs firm on the ground of justice and human rights by providing a fair and transparent trial to the 8 piracy-suspects from Somalia, who were guards on two fishing vessels impounded for illegal fishing off Laskooray.

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