AU chief welcomes resignation of Egypt’s president

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

February 12, 2011(ADDIS ABABA) – The African Union has commended what it described as a “peaceful and democratic power transition” in Egypt following weeks of mass protests that forced the resignation of Hosni Mubarak’s after almost 30-years in power.

According to the African Union (AU) statement issued on Saturday, the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union Jean Ping said, the move taken by former-President Mubarak to step down was a crucial decision that has heard and answered the voices and demands of the Egyptian people.

The AU chief hailed the Egyptian people’s unity and strength aimed to bring a democratic transition and pledged union’s support in country’s new era.

Ping expressed his confidence that the current military power running the country will peacefully ensure the formation of a civilian government by conducting an election in a peaceful, free and democratic manner that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Egyptian people.

Mubarak had been under pressure from the African Union to swiftly respond to the nationwide anti-government protests that sought social and economic reforms as well as democracy and human rights.

The announcement of Mubarak’s resignation was made by Vice-President Omar Suleiman on Friday evening after hundreds of thousands of Egyptians protested for three weeks in Al-Tahrir (Freedom) square in Cairo and throughout the country demanding an end to his authoritarian rule.

Egypt’s military, which took power after he stepped down, say they will now prepare the country for elections and will respect the country’s international agreements, which include the country’s peace accord with Israel.

The United Nations also welcomed the Mubarak’s resignation on Saturday. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for a transparent, orderly and peaceful transition in Egypt. “I respect what must have been a difficult decision, taken in the wider interests of the Egyptian people,” Mr. Ban told reporters at UN Headquarters in New York.

“At this historic moment, I reiterate my call, made as recently as last night, for a transparent, orderly and peaceful transition that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Egyptian people and includes free, fair and credible elections leading to the early establishment of civilian rule.

“I urge the interim authorities to chart a clear path forward with the participation of all stakeholders,” he added.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson last night, Mr. Ban had emphasized that it is for the Egyptian people to determine their future.

Sudan’s official news agency (SUNA) on Friday quoted the secretary of external relations at the ruling National Congress Party’s (NCP), Mustafa Osman Isma’il, as saying the government “welcomes the popular Egyptian uprising in order to shore up the pillars of democracy, rule of the people and the establishment of a powerful state.”

Isma’il further said that his party hopes that the new Egyptian revolution would “meet the aspirations of the Egyptian people as well as those of the Islamic and Arabic nation.”

He said that the NCP had been maintaining communication with all Egyptian political forces during the demonstration.

The presidency of the republic issued another statement in which it congratulated the Egyptian people on “realizing their wishes, and on the triumph of their revolution.”

“The presidency affirms its unqualified support and stands firmly by the Egyptian people in realizing their aspirations and enhancing Egypt’s position and recovering its role as a pioneering Arab, African and Islamic country,” added the statement which was also reported by SUNA.

(ST)