Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Kenya’s President William Ruto convened in Nairobi for high-stakes discussions during the fifth mid-year coordination meeting of the African Union on Sunday.
The presidential dialogue covered an array of pressing African concerns, predominantly focusing on crafting a solution for the ongoing crisis in Sudan and advancing peace across the African continent.
In the course of their discourse, al-Sisi and Ruto dissected the ongoing initiatives intended to resolve the Sudan crisis, which has tragically resulted in hundreds of casualties, and a significant number of injured or displaced individuals.
The significance of the recent Summit of Sudan’s Neighbouring Countries, held in Egypt on 13 July, formed a crucial part of their conversation.
Both leaders pledged their support for the initiative, expressing a united commitment to work together to alleviate the conflict and hardship experienced by the Sudanese people.
The discussion spanned beyond Sudan to wider regional challenges, particularly those occurring in the Horn of Africa and the Nile Basin regions. Al-Sisi and Ruto accentuated the necessity of collective efforts to confront the tribulations plaguing these regions, aiming to guarantee stability and progress.
In keeping with the goals of the ongoing African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting, both leaders highlighted the importance of African unity and the need for strengthened cooperation between the African Union, regional economic communities, regional mechanisms, and member states.
President Ruto reiterated his dedication to fostering peace and stability across the African continent. “Strong Kenya-Egypt relations are instrumental for a more united and prosperous Africa. Alongside other nations, we are committed to eradicating conflict and suffering in Sudan and across Africa,” he stated.
During the summit, Ruto called for an overhaul of the African Union as a crucial starting point. He voiced his disappointment that the continent continues to rely heavily on external funding after more than fifty years of independence.
Ruto made a compelling case against the current reality where over 60% of African Union programmes are financially dependent on foreign partners. “We must liberate the AU from these constraints, enabling it to undertake urgent and vital interventions in the continent using internally-generated resources,” he declared.
The African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting continues to assemble leaders and stakeholders from across the continent. This critical platform enables an assessment of progress, identification of challenges, and collaboration on strategies to further the continent’s integration agenda.
Image Credit: Egyptian Presidency/Facebook
