Egypt’s El-Sisi pledges to support Tshisekedi’s next term as AU president

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has pledged his administration’s support to the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, in his term as president of the African Union.

President Tshisekedi will assume command of the continental bloc later this month from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, whose term has lasted since last February.

El-Sisi, who was president of the AU before Ramaphosa, acknowledged that Tshisekedi will assume leadership of a continent dodged by challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and insecurity.

I would also like to affirm our full support for His Excellency during his tenure as President of the African Union and our confidence in his wise leadership of joint African action, as well as in his success in leading Africa at that stage where several are witnessing challenges. These challenges mainly consist of containing the COVID-19 outbreak, eliminating the threat of extremism and terrorism and activating economic and trade integration among African countries, ”el-Sisi said.

The Egyptian leader made the remarks Tuesday at a joint press conference with Tshisekedi, who is on an official visit to the North African country.

The two leaders held bilateral talks aimed at strengthening cooperation between their countries.

President el-Sisi pledged his administration’s support for the peace efforts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the search to consolidate the country’s foundations aimed at preserving stability.

I also reaffirmed Egypt’s firm stance to support all efforts to maintain peace and stability in the sister Democratic Republic of the Congo and that Egypt, driven by friendly and fraternal relations, would continue to work transparently to support Congolese national efforts. These efforts are aimed at consolidating the foundations of peace and internal stability, in a way that promotes the development and prosperity of the entire Congolese people and preserves the structures and institutions of the State and their capacities to continue the path of institutional democratic transformation. ”Said el- Sisi.

For his part, President Tshisekedi highlighted his interest in developing bilateral relations in various fields, especially commercial and economic cooperation, as well as strengthening political relations between the two countries.