Addis Ababa, 31 July 2013: The AU High-Level Panel for Egypt, comprising former President Alpha Oumar Konaré of Mali as Chair, former President Festus Mogae of Botswana and former Prime Minister Dileita Mohammed Dileita of Djibouti, is continuing its consultations with the Egyptian stakeholders. The Panel is in Cairo since 27 July 2013, for its first visit to Egypt, in fulfillment of its mandate. 

Since its arrival in Cairo, the Panel has met with interim President Adly Mansour and interim Vice-President Mohammed El Baradei. The Panel also met with members of the interim Government, namely Vice-Prime Minister and Defense Minister General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy, and Minister of Transitional Justice and National Reconciliation Amin El Mahdi. Furthermore, the Panel met with H.E. Mohamed Morsi. The Panel also had consultations with other Egyptian stakeholders, including the Strong Egypt Party, the Egyptian Democratic Academy, the April 6 Movement and the Tamarod Movement. The Panel also met with the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Dr. Nabil Elaraby.

In the coming days, the Panel will have consultations interim Minister of Justice Adel Abdel Hamied, the Head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, His Holiness Pope Tawadrous II, and the Women National Council. The Panel will also meet with the African Group of Ambassadors and other members of the diplomatic community, including EU Ambassadors. The Panel will end its visit to Egypt on 4 August 2013.

The establishment of the Panel and its current visit to Cairo are part of the AU’s efforts to assist Egypt in addressing the challenges confronting the country and ensuring that the legitimate aspirations of its people are fulfilled. In so doing, the AU is acting on the basis of its relevant instruments and in the spirit of African solidarity, as Egypt’s challenges are also Africa’s challenges. A stable, democratic and prosperous Egypt constitutes a tremendous asset for the AU, as it strives to achieve its stated objectives.

 For further information on the activities of the High-Level Panel, please contact:

- El Ghassim Wane, Director, Peace and Security Department, Mobile: +251-911-508 348,

- Dawit Toga, Political analyst, Mobile: +20-109-332 0703

COMMENTS