Egypt Chairs AU Peace, Security Council

African leaders and delegates attend the Africa Union Peace and Security Council (File photo: Reuters)
African leaders and delegates attend the Africa Union Peace and Security Council (File photo: Reuters)
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Egypt Chairs AU Peace, Security Council

African leaders and delegates attend the Africa Union Peace and Security Council (File photo: Reuters)
African leaders and delegates attend the Africa Union Peace and Security Council (File photo: Reuters)

Egypt is exerting all efforts to combat extremism and terrorism during its presidency of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU) this November.

The AU announced that Egypt will chair the presidency of Peace and Security Council in light of Egypt's "diplomatic successes and efforts to play an effective role in supporting and strengthening the peace and security in the African continent."

The Peace Council said that Egypt's efforts would focus on managing disasters in Africa and finding lasting solutions to confront challenges such as terrorism, illegal immigration, and the repercussions of climate change on continental peace and security.

The Peace and Security Council is scheduled to discuss the report of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on continental efforts to prevent and combat terrorism.

The Council provides an opportunity for members to develop a strategy to enhance efforts to combat terrorism and extremism through its various research and studies centers.

The Peace and Security Council is an organ of the African Union for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflicts and follows the model of the UN Security Council. It has 15 members with equal voting powers, elected by the AU Executive Council and endorsed by the AU Assembly during its ordinary sessions.

Egypt holds the membership of the Council for the North African region between 2020 and 2022.

Since assuming the presidency in 2019, Cairo has intensified its presence within the institutions of the Union and strengthened its relationship with the countries through initiatives and cooperation agreements covering all fields.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian Armed Forces concluded Sunday three training programs delivered to 67 military personnel from 18 African states.

The programs were held in collaboration with the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development, affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A ceremony was held Saturday evening to distribute the certificates in the presence of several Egyptian commanders, and African ambassadors, and military attaches.

The Head of the Armed Forces Training Authority delivered a speech where he addressed all activities and areas of cooperation that prepared and qualified students from African countries.

Assistant to Minister of Defense Major General Medhat al-Nahas delivered a speech asserting Egypt's keenness to concert efforts with African countries and work jointly to boost cooperation and development on the African continent in various fields.



Hemedti Admits Forces Withdrew from Sudan Capital

A picture shows burnt vehicles in a southern neighbourhood of Khartoum on March 29, 2025, after the military recaptured the capital. (Photo by AFP)
A picture shows burnt vehicles in a southern neighbourhood of Khartoum on March 29, 2025, after the military recaptured the capital. (Photo by AFP)
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Hemedti Admits Forces Withdrew from Sudan Capital

A picture shows burnt vehicles in a southern neighbourhood of Khartoum on March 29, 2025, after the military recaptured the capital. (Photo by AFP)
A picture shows burnt vehicles in a southern neighbourhood of Khartoum on March 29, 2025, after the military recaptured the capital. (Photo by AFP)

The head of the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces admitted in a speech to fighters on Sunday that the group had withdrawn from the capital but pledged the RSF would return stronger to Khartoum.

"I confirm to you that we have indeed left Khartoum, but... we will return with even stronger determination," Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo said in the speech, three days after the group said there would be "no retreat.”

It was Dagalo's first comment since the RSF were pushed back from most parts of Khartoum by the Sudanese army during a devastating war that has lasted two years.

Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, conceded in an audio message on Telegram that his forces left the capital last week as the army consolidated its gains.

Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan ruled out any reconciliation with the RSF in a video statement on Saturday in which he vowed to crush the group.

"We will neither forgive, nor compromise, nor negotiate," he said, reaffirming the military's commitment to restoring national unity and stability.

Earlier on Saturday, the army said it had taken control of a major market in Khartoum's twin city of Omdurman, which had previously been used by the RSF to launch attacks during a devastating two-year-old war.

Burhan also said fighters who "repent to the truth" could still be amnestied if they lay down their arms, particularly those who are in rebel-held areas.