Cairo: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs Badr Abdelatty has declared Egypt’s readiness to share its successful counterterrorism strategies with Mali. In a joint press conference with Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop, Abdelatty emphasized Egypt’s comprehensive approach, which integrates security measures with socio-economic strategies to combat terrorism.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Abdelatty detailed Egypt’s model that focuses on offering job opportunities to youth, dismantling extremist ideologies, and cutting off financial resources to terrorist organizations. He noted the ongoing cooperation between the defense and interior ministries of both countries, highlighting Egypt’s role in providing essential training and capacity-building programs to enhance Mali’s counterterrorism capabilities.

The Malian Foreign Minister’s visit, accompanied by the Malian Defense Minister, underscored a broad security collaboration aimed at strengthening both na
tions’ abilities to address terrorism. Discussions extended to economic and trade cooperation, including the involvement of Egyptian companies in Mali’s development, particularly in the energy sector.

Abdelatty also conveyed Egypt’s commitment to supporting Mali’s energy needs through new and renewable energy sources, emphasizing the Egyptian private sector’s contributions. In the health sector, he announced a grant of medical equipment for the Maternity and Children’s Hospital in Bamako, reflecting Egypt’s ongoing support for Mali’s healthcare infrastructure.

The talks explored the export and potential local production of Egyptian pharmaceuticals in Mali, meeting the rising demand for effective and affordable medicines. Abdelatty stressed President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s directives to fortify state institutions in Africa, particularly in the Sahel, to prevent power vacuums exploited by non-state actors and terrorists.

Egypt’s continuous outreach to its African neighbors, including previous engagements wit
h Burkina Faso and Niger, highlights its commitment to counterterrorism efforts across the continent. The discussions also included regional issues of mutual interest, such as Egypt’s support for Mali’s reintegration into the African Union and joint nominations in international forums.

Critical topics like water security, which Abdelatty described as non-negotiable for Egypt, and broader geopolitical dynamics in the Sahel, including new regional confederations and the situations in Sudan and Libya, were also addressed during the talks.