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Egypt’s al-Sisi calls for ‘bold’ response to countries supporting terrorism
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi opened the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development in Africa on Wednesday by calling for a comprehensive and bold response to countries supporting terrorism.
“Terrorism remains a malignant cancer afflicting African nations undermining states and societies. Therefore, combatting terrorism in a comprehensive manner requires identifying its states and supporters and confronting them collectively and boldly,” said al-Sisi in his opening remarks in Aswan, Egypt.
“We must continue to work together, to turn the page on a painful history of conflicts in Africa, which has negatively affected the continent’s developmental aspirations,” he added.
Al-Sisi also addressed the conflict in Libya, saying that Egypt was the first country to be affected. Libya has been in a state of unrest since the fall of dictator Muammar Qaddafi in 2011, with multiple factions currently fighting in a civil war.
“We will move towards achieving a comprehensive solution in Libya within months,” he added.
Al-Sisi pointed to development as a solution to terrorism, claiming “development is the best shield against conflict.”
African heads of state and officials are attending the Aswan Forum in Egypt to discuss objectives to achieve peace and sustainable development in the continent.
The inaugural meeting of the forum is titled “An Agenda for Sustainable Peace, Security and Development in Africa,” taking place over December 11-12. Following the forum, the African Union Center for Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development (AUC-PCRD) will be launching in Cairo, according to al-Sisi.
