On Wednesday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi called for an end to conflicts in Africa, noting that the crisis in neighbouring Libya has negatively impacted Cairo.
During a press conference with Angolan president, João Manuel, El-Sisi stressed the need to “meet the Libyan people’s aspirations for restoring security and stability and moving ahead toward the development and prosperity of their country.”
He also reiterated Egypt’s “firm stance to help create the required climate for holding Libya’s Presidential and Parliamentary elections simultaneously.” He noted that approximately 200,000 displaced people entered Egypt from Sudan over the last few weeks.
In addition, the two presidents agreed on the necessity to make the utmost effort to maintain stability in Africa. They also highlighted the importance of pursuing “political solutions for various regional crises, within the framework of protecting states’ unity and the safety of lands.”
Earlier, El-Sisi and his Algerian counterpart, Abdelmadjid Tebboune met on the sidelines of the Arab summit in Algeria, where they affirmed the need to push for holding elections in Libya as soon as possible.
They stressed the importance of preserving Libyan institutions, achieving security and stability, and preserving the unity and sovereignty of Libya.
El-Sisi and Tebboune also agreed on the need to strengthen the role of security forces in combating terrorism and maximizing international efforts to expel all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya.
“The two Presidents agreed on the importance of strengthening cooperation and coordination frameworks between the two brotherly countries regarding the Libyan crisis,” a statement said.
The crisis in Libya began in 2011 following the fall of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi. The country has since been embroiled in a power struggle amongst various factions, leading to a state of instability and violence. This situation has led to a humanitarian crisis, with thousands of Libyans and nationals from other African countries, particularly Sudan, displaced due to the unrest.
In recent years, Egypt, along with other regional and international stakeholders, has been involved in efforts to broker peace and stability in Libya. These efforts have been vital in mitigating the regional implications of the crisis, such as the influx of refugees into Egypt.
