Egypt, UN sign cooperation doc to combat extremism, encourage reintegration in Africa

CAIRO - 20 June 2019: Foreign Ministry's Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peace building CCCPA signed a document for cooperation with the United Nations Peacekeeping's Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions.

The cooperation document comes within the framework of the joint efforts to combat extremism which leads to terrorism, and encourage disarmament, demobilization and reintegration in Africa.

Alexandre Zouev, assistant secretary-general for Rule of Law and Security Institutions, expressed appreciation of the United Nations to Egypt's role as one of the biggest countries contributing with army and police forces in peacekeeping missions, and as the head of the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration group of the United Nations.

CCCPA's director Ashraf Swelam said that the framework of cooperation with the UN office is consistent with the priorities of the Egyptian chairmanship of the African Union for 2019, including building the African capabilities and enhancing partnership with the UN and the AU in the issues of peace and security.

The new framework of cooperation contributes to activating the new integrated standards and operational guidelines of the AU in the area of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration through training and building capabilities, Swelam said.

It also allows benefiting from the CCCPA's special experience in enhancing the capability of the African communities of combating extremism that leads to terrorism, he added.

Egypt renewed its commitment to continuing its role in peacekeeping operations in the world, Deputy Foreign Minister for African Affairs Hamdy Loza told a high-profile regional conference in Cairo in November 2018.

Cairo has also sought to develop peacekeeping missions and terms during its last UN Security Council membership, Loza added.

The senior diplomat called for an effective UN role in all stages of peace keeping and peace-building, using all available means of the world organization.

"There is a need to move forward with this commitment and we must aim at a framework that promotes integration and harmony by all actors in peacekeeping missions," Loza said in a speech before the gathering, organized by the CCCPA.

He reviewed the role played by Egypt in this regard as one of the seven largest countries participating in peacekeeping missions.

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Additional reporting by MENA