Sisi, Conde affirm cooperation combating terrorism in Africa

CAIRO – 25 May 2017: Egypt agreed with Guinea on enhancing security and military coordination to combat terrorism and organized crime in the Sahel region, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi said in a joint press conference held with Guinean counterpart Alpha Conde at the Itihadiya Palace on Thursday.

The meeting coincides with the celebration of Africa Day, marking the 54th anniversary of the Organization of African Unity (later rebranded in 2001 as the African Union) launched in 1963.

Sisi affirms Egypt's commitment to cooperation with Africa continent

At the beginning of the conference, President Sisi welcomed his Guinean counterpart, expressing his pleasure for receiving Conde for the first time in Egypt.

Sisi asserted Egypt’s commitment to boost “African cooperation, brotherhood and solidarity," referring to the African ambassadors who attended the press conference.
The two African leaders discussed ways to strengthen and develop the bilateral ties, based on the strong historical relations between the two countries since the time of late presidents Gamal Abdel Nasser and Ahmed Sikou Toure, the founding fathers of the Organization of African Unity.

Sisi and Conde discuss the development of African Union

In regard with the African Union, President Sisi said that he exchanged views with Conde on the development and revitalization of the union's performance in order to cope with contemporary changes and challenges.

Sisi admired President Condi’s outstanding chairing of the current session of African Union, praising his experience, which enabled boosting African cooperation for the benefit of the countries and peoples of the continent.

President Sisi appreciated Guinea's support for Ambassador Moushira Khattab for the post of director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), within the framework of the African Union, being the African candidate for this post.

The two presidents also reviewed developments of the situation in Libya and agreed on exerting more efforts to restore peace and security to this brother country which enhances peace and security on the continent in general and the Sahel region in particular. They also agreed on cooperation with various Libyan parties to achieve unity in Libya.

Sahel-Saharan Anti-Terrorism Center

"We have agreed on the importance of enhancing security and military coordination between Egypt and Guinea in the framework of regional efforts to combat terrorism and organized crime in the Sahel region,” Sisi said.

He added that they reaffirmed their resolve to set up a regional center to combat terrorism. The center is to be set up in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

President Sisi expressed his optimism that this center shall have a positive contribution to enhance regional cooperation to counter terrorist activities and organized crime in the Sahel region

Guinean President Conde has arrived to Cairo Thursday to meet with his Egyptian counterpart. Both leaders held talks on boosting Egyptian-Guinean ties through bilateral joint action, in addition to tackling regional and international issues of joint interest.

During the visit, the two leaders are scheduled to sign a number of military and security deals as well as education and culture agreements.