Egypt plays an important peace-making role not only in the Middle East, but also within Africa. Egypt has helped to resolve conflict and has provided humanitarian aid in numerous U.S.-supported missions in Africa. Egypt has also provided military assistance and training to a number of African countries in hopes of bolstering security and stability. Of note, Egypt has initiated peace talks between rebel groups and the Sudanese government in an effort to resolve the ongoing conflict in Darfur.
Conflict Resolution and Aid in the Darfur Region of Sudan
Peace Negotiations:
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Egypt has taken an active role in fostering peace talks in Sudan based on the Nairobi Agreement between the Sudanese government and the People’s Liberation Movement, a rebel group based in Southern Sudan.
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Egypt’s peacekeeping operation in Sudan started in August 2004 with Egyptian military monitors sent to the region. Today, Egypt has the largest contingent of peacekeeping forces to the United Nations African Mission in Darfur where it participates with 2325 peace keepers.
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Egypt brokered and hosted the agreement of national reconciliation and comprehensive peace in Cairo, June 18, 2005.
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More recently, in July 2009, Egyptian officials met leaders of six guerrilla groups and later hosted talks with the President of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, to discuss the resolution of the conflict in Darfur.
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The meeting was meant to facilitate negotiations between the Sudanese government and rebel groups.
Military Aid:
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Egypt deployed a Task Force of 800 personnel to supervise the implementation of new security protocols in Sudan. The Task Force included a Command and Control group, Infantry Company, Transport Platoon, Military Engineers Company, Demining Company and a Field Hospital.
Humanitarian Aid:
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Egypt has also provided humanitarian relief in Sudan by: 1) establishing a hospital in Waw, 2) supporting a university in Goba and 3) aiding the medical center in Malkal.
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Egypt also established a medical station in El Fasher, which has served more than 250,000 local patients.
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Overall, Egypt has sent 22 military planes (C-130’s) of humanitarian and medical aid to Darfur.
Mediation in Somalia
Piracy:
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Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit has said that Egypt is monitoring the situation in Somalia, specifically the country’s fight against piracy – a common interest for both countries.
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The Foreign Ministry has cooperated with international troops stationed in the Gulf of Aden to provide protection vessels in Egyptian territory.
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Egypt has also joined the international liaison group to coordinate anti-piracy efforts and hosted its second meeting in February 2009.
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Dr. Boutros Boutros Ghali, Director of the National Council for Human Rights and former Secretary General of the UN, has expressed concern over the major international and African problems caused by piracy, including issues related to U.N. aid.
Humanitarian aid:
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Amidst an ongoing conflict in Somalia, Egypt pledged that Egypt will provide Somalia with food and medicine. Egypt also sent teachers and doctors to meet growing humanitarian needs in the region.
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Additionally, the Egyptian government has helped to train the Somali police.
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Cairo has also favored the installation of a new government in Somalia, and its desire for a new president in Somalia.
Additional support in Region
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Egypt is one of five African Union member countries that have pledged to pay the maximum member rate of 15 percent of the entire AU budget.
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Egypt plays and active role in the African Union task force, participating with 34 military observers and 50 police officers from various regions.
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Egypt has acted as an arbiter of peace in other African countries, including Mozambique, Angola, Liberia and Rwanda.