Senegal and Egypt Strengthen Ties Ahead of African Union Summit

The foreign ministers of Senegal and Egypt have met to discuss ways of deepening bilateral relations and coordinating their positions on key regional and international issues.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, held talks with his Senegalese counterpart, Cheikh Niang, outside Cairo on Tuesday. The meeting comes just weeks before the African Union summit, where both countries hope to present a united front on pressing challenges facing the continent.

The ministers focused on strengthening political coordination and harmonising their positions on regional conflicts. A major topic was the ongoing civil war in Sudan. Abdelatty stressed the importance of preserving Sudan’s sovereignty, unity, and independence. He said both countries reject the creation of parallel governments and oppose any attempt to break away regions from the Sudanese state.

Sudan’s war began in 2023 after a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The conflict has since evolved into a de facto partition, with the RSF controlling much of western Sudan and the army holding the east.

Meanwhile, Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s support for counter terrorism efforts in West Africa and the Sahel. He emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach that combines security measures with development initiatives to tackle the root causes of extremism. He said terrorism cannot be defeated by military action alone, but requires investment in education, jobs, and infrastructure to stabilise communities.

The Egyptian minister also praised the growing partnership between Cairo and Dakar, describing Senegal as a strategic ally for Egypt in West Africa. He noted that stronger cooperation between the two countries will help advance stability and development across the region.

The talks highlight the importance of African nations working together to address shared challenges, from conflict resolution to economic growth. Both ministers expressed confidence that closer ties between Senegal and Egypt will contribute to a more coordinated African voice at the upcoming AU summit.

Observers say the meeting reflects a broader trend of African countries seeking stronger regional partnerships to deal with crises such as civil wars, terrorism, and economic instability. For Senegal and Egypt, the talks mark another step in building a relationship that could play a key role in shaping Africa’s future.