US to help Egypt achieve 'shared' goal of stable Africa

CAIRO – 14 February 2019: State Department spokesman Robert Palladino congratulated Egypt on assuming the presidency of the African Union for 2019, saying that the US "looks forward to working together on the shared goal of a stable and prosperous Africa."

"During Egypt’s chairpersonship, we anticipate continuing our work with the African Union on key issues of mutual interest to include expanding economic opportunity, enhancing security, and consolidating democracy and human rights in Africa," the statement read.

"We note the declaration of 2019 as the AU’s Year of Refugees, Returnees, and Internally Displaced Persons, and look forward to working with the AU to advance mutual goals in this area," Palladino added.

Egypt's President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi received on Sunday the chairmanship of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government from Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame for a one-year term.

African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat said on Monday that the commission will fully cooperate with Sisi as chairman of the AU to solve African issues and to achieve remarkable progress in the sustainable development agenda.

Addressing a joint presser with Sisi, Faki thanked the Egyptian leader for providing a clear-cut and comprehensive review of the continent's issues.

He praised the choice of 2019 as the year of refugees and displaced people in Africa, calling for uprooting the reasons of the file. He also hailed serious discussions during the sessions of the summit, particularly on peace and security in the continent.