MALABO, July 13 (MENA) – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Sunday affirmed Egypt’s full commitment to supporting the North African Region Capability (NARC) as part of Cairo's broader interest in revitalizing the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and its leading role in post-conflict reconstruction and development.

This commitment also stems from Egypt’s firm belief that peace is the foundation of development, and that integration is the path toward a better future for the continent, Sisi said during a speech he delivered at the African Union (AU)’s 7th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting, held in Equatorial Guinea.

Sisi, the current chair of NARC, reviewed Egypt’s efforts to ensure the preparedness of the North African Region Capability to promote peace across the African continent.

These efforts come in light of Egypt’s full belief in the importance of preparedness and readiness to safeguard the capabilities of the African peoples, protect them from various challenges, and fulfill their aspirations for security, stability, and prosperity, he said.

He pointed out that the African continent faces a lot of complex and intertwined geopolitical challenges—ranging from armed conflicts and the spread of terrorism to transnational organized crime and the repercussions of climate change.

These challenges pose a threat to the continent’s security, stability, and development, and require collective efforts to be addressed, Sisi added.

The Egyptian leader emphasized the need to revitalize and strengthen the regional mechanisms concerned with maintaining peace and security in Africa.

He also underlined the importance of the African Standby Force (ASF) as a core pillar of the African Peace and Security Architecture with its regional components such as the North African Region Capability, currently chaired by Egypt.

This system provides a multi-dimensional, well-equipped force with operational capacity and readiness to deploy in support of peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts, Sisi noted. (MORE)

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