On 1 November President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi met with the Head of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel on Sudan Thabo Mbeki and with Italian Minister of Defence Roberta Pinotti. The consecutive meetings both focused on combating terrorism. The Al-Sisi-Mbeki meeting also addressed ongoing efforts to restore peace in Sudan, settle the situation in Darfur and foster a national dialogue between all Sudanese parties. Al-Sisi met Mbeki and his accompanying delegation with Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukri. “Egypt,” said Al-Sisi, “has exerted great efforts, through meetings and discussions with African leaders, to achieve peace and stability.” He confirmed that “humanitarian support is still needed in the South Kordofan and Blue Nile states in the south to settle outstanding issues between Sudan and South Sudan”. Al-Sisi also stressed the urgent need to strengthen the Sudanese economy. “The International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and creditor nations must relieve Sudan of some of its financial debts.” “Egypt,” he said, “is keen to maintain strong relations with Sudan and support it on both the political and economic level.” Mbeki stressed that a holistic approach to Sudan's many problems was needed. “Sudanese parties have begun to realise the importance of national consensus, of suspending armed conflict and reaching an agreement that allows armed groups to engage in a dialogue with the government. Sudan is counting on Egypt's influential role to convince all parties to renounce violence and enter into talks that can engender a permanent and durable peace.” Commentators say the meeting is significant in that it underlines Cairo's growing interest in Africa. They detect a significant shift in Egypt's foreign policy which increasingly recognises the importance of mutual cooperation across the continent and is keen to develop ties that function on the basis of respect for common interests and the pursuit of mutual benefits. Political analyst Hassan Nafaa believes this change in attitude will bear positive fruit, not least with Ethiopia. He sees signs that Addis Ababa and Cairo are nudging closer to an agreement in which Egypt acknowledges Ethiopia's development needs and Ethiopia respects Egypt's water rights. With its immediate southern neighbour, says Nafaa, “Egypt can play a significant role in pushing for peace and stability in both Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan because of its distinctive historic ties with all parties there.” “A harmonious relationship between Egypt and Sudan benefits both countries,” says Nafaa. “The time is ripe to strengthen Egyptian-Sudanese relations in all fields. The ousting of Mohamed Morsi and the beginning of the Al-Sisi regime engendered a political atmosphere in which the political will to fortify ties in order to achieve mutual interests has grown.” Defence Minister Sedki Sobhi attended Al-Sisi's meeting with Pinotti and Italy's ambassador to Egypt Maurizio Massari. Military cooperation was high on the agenda, together with developments in the Middle East and the Mediterranean and the impact of terrorism on security and stability. Illegal migration from Egypt to Italy was also discussed. Pinotti began by offering condolences to Al-Sisi for the deaths of the 31 soldiers killed in Sinai days before. She confirmed that Rome views Egypt as an important strategic partner, not only on a bilateral level but regionally and internationally. “We are keen to hear Egypt's vision of how joint cooperation might help settle regional issues, particularly the situation in Libya,” said Pinotti. Rome and Cairo, she continued, were in agreement on the urgent need to combat religious extremism through a comprehensive strategy. She commended Al-Azhar's efforts to rectify religious discourse and stressed that “Italy is keen to familiarise itself with Egypt's strategy to combat terrorism.” Al-Sisi expressed his appreciation for Italy's speedy condemnation of the Sinai attack. Egypt, he pointed out, is confronting the forces of terrorism and needs financial and technical assistance as well as security cooperation to secure its extended borders. “Egypt is at war with terrorist groups in Sinai and is confronting the proliferation of extremist ideologies. These need to be attacked on all fronts, not just militarily but also developmentally, taking into consideration economic, social and cultural specificities,” said the president. Egyptian Italian relations, says Aleya Al-Mahdi, professor of political science at Cairo University, have been strong for many years. Bilateral ties are extensive, most notably when it comes to economy and trade, and both Cairo and Rome have worked consistently to boost the relationship. It is not just Italy, says Al-Mahdi, that is seeking to strengthen bonds with Egypt, but other European countries that were initially skeptical of the direction in which Egypt was moving following the removal of Morsi. “Europe has now accepted the Egyptians' will and is paying great attention to developments in the Middle East,” she says.
