Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, received Mr. Mahmoud Ali Youssef, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, at his residence in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on the eve of the 34th Arab Summit, scheduled to convene on 17 May.
Gamal Roshdy, the official spokesperson for the Secretary-General, stated that the meeting focused on enhancing coordination and reinforcing strategic cooperation between the League of Arab States and the African Union, particularly within the framework of the institutional mechanisms that bring together both organisations in addressing crises within their shared geographical and political spheres.
Roshdy noted that the discussions addressed the ongoing crisis in Sudan and the need for joint efforts to manage its complex repercussions. Given Sudan’s centrality as both an Arab and African nation, the two sides exchanged views on the grave consequences of the protracted conflict, which continues to destabilise neighbouring Arab and African states.
The Spokesman further conveyed that the Secretary-General stressed the importance of harmonising the perspectives and policy approaches of the League of Arab States and the African Union regarding the diagnosis and resolution of the Sudanese crisis. He added that Mr. Aboul Gheit listened attentively to the insights shared by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on the matter.
The meeting also addressed developments in the Libyan arena, particularly in light of the recent deterioration in the security situation in Tripoli. Additionally, the parties discussed the situation in Somalia, with Mr. Youssef briefing the Secretary-General on the risks posed by the financial shortfall facing the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), and the resulting threats to the country's already fragile security landscape.
Roshdy concluded by affirming that both parties agreed to sustain and deepen institutional collaboration between the two organisations in the forthcoming period, in pursuit of shared objectives and mutual regional stability.
