Angolan President João Lourenço and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Tuesday called for dialogue as the only viable path to resolving the escalating security and humanitarian crises across Africa and the Middle East.
The two leaders met at Cairo’s Ittihadiya Palace at the start of Lourenço’s three-day visit to Egypt during which they discussed regional peace and security, bilateral cooperation and multilateral reforms.
Both countries are current members of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council.
In a joint statement following their meeting, Lourenço and El-Sisi noted the need for inclusive political dialogue in conflict-affected countries and reaffirmed their nations’ commitment to the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of African states.
Addressing the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the two leaders condemned ongoing violence and called for sustained negotiations among all stakeholders.
The DRC continues to grapple with armed militia activity in its eastern provinces, displacing millions and destabilising the region.
On Sudan, where a civil conflict between rival military factions has killed thousands and displaced millions since April 2023, Lourenço and El-Sisi urged an immediate cessation of hostilities.
They called for an inclusive national dialogue that upholds Sudan’s sovereignty and alleviates the humanitarian crisis.
Both leaders opposed any attempt to set up a parallel government in the country.
In South Sudan, which continues to struggle with the implementation of the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement, the presidents stressed the importance of fully adhering to the peace deal.
They warned against recent developments that risk reigniting political and ethnic tensions.
Turning to Somalia, the leaders expressed alarm over the rise in terrorist attacks, including a recent assassination attempt on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
They reiterated their support for Somalia’s stability and condemned terrorism in all forms.
The two presidents also voiced deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel.
They called for a permanent ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access and support for the Arab-Islamic plan for Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction.
Lourenço praised Egypt’s mediation efforts and its role in promoting a two-state solution under international law.
Beyond regional crises, the meeting also focused on enhancing economic cooperation.
According to Egypt’s Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics, trade between Egypt and Angola grew by over 60 percent in 2024, reaching $34.2 million.
The two leaders agreed to intensify investment and trade in sectors that drive economic diversification and institutional capacity building.
Lourenço and El-Sisi further called for urgent reforms of international institutions, particularly the United Nations and its Security Council, to make them more inclusive and representative of the Global South.
JN/APA