Mbeki briefs Egyptian president on Sudan peace efforts
November 2, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The head of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), Thabo Mbeki, briefed Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sissi on the ongoing efforts to restore peace in Sudan.
He will organise talks for a cessation of hostilities in Blue Nile and South Kordofan between the government and the rebel SPLM-N on 12 November. Similar discussions including Darfur groups will follow. After what, he will hold an inclusive meeting at the headquarters of the African Union to reach a framework agreement for the internal process.
No statements were delivered following the meeting between the president Sisi and Mbeki.
However, the spokesperson of the Egyptian foreign ministry, Badr Abdelatty, told reporters that Mbeki “provided a full and detailed briefing” to his minister Sameh Shukri about the efforts undertaken by the mechanism to achieve security and stability in Sudan.
Abdelatty said Mbeki spoke about his role in Darfur, the conflict in the Two Areas and the national dialogue.
The AUHIP delegation stressed on the need to adopt a holistic approach to deal with the different crises in Sudan. Also Mbeki mentioned the importance of support economic to Sudan particularly offering debt relief to Sudan, he said.
The Egyptian diplomat added that the meeting also discussed the outstanding issues between Sudan and South Sudan
During the last years of Mubakar regime, the bad relations between Cairo and Khartoum affected the diplomatic traditional role that Egyptian government had used to play in favour of the Sudan.
Al-Sisi seemingly seeks to restore the close relations the two countries had in the past.
The foreign ministry spokesperson said Shukri reiterated Egypt’s support to the African Union in its efforts to bring peace and stability in Sudan and to settle the outstanding issues between Khartoum and Juba.
(ST)
Related article