Al-Sisi launches month-long African initiative on post-conflict reconstruction

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi on Sunday announced the launch of the sixth African Union commemoration of post-conflict reconstruction and development, which will be extended for the first time to a full month throughout November, while calling for increased financing for recovery programmes and projects.

Al-Sisi, who serves as the African Union’s champion for post-conflict reconstruction and development, said this year’s initiative would be held under the theme “Twenty Years of Building and Sustaining Peace: From Policy to Implementation.”

The initiative coincides with the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the African Union’s Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development Policy.

In a presidential statement, Al-Sisi stressed that post-conflict reconstruction should not be viewed solely as a humanitarian or economic undertaking, but as an integral component of Africa’s peace and security architecture and a means of addressing the root causes of fragility in societies emerging from conflict or instability.

He called for the anniversary to serve as an opportunity to assess progress, identify gaps and translate policy commitments into concrete programmes and projects, prioritising initiatives that deliver tangible and immediate benefits to people’s lives.

Al-Sisi also urged stronger support for the African Union Commission and the AU Centre for Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development in Cairo, alongside increased funding for related programmes.

He said Egypt would host the sixth edition of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development at the end of November, as part of efforts to strengthen the links between peace, security and development and enhance the implementation of the AU’s reconstruction policy.

The president emphasised that reconstruction efforts should be guided by national priorities and the actual needs of affected communities, while addressing the underlying causes of conflict and strengthening coordination among governments, regional organisations and international partners.

He also called for greater participation by young people, women and the private sector, highlighting the role businesses can play through investment, job creation, production and infrastructure development.

Al-Sisi reaffirmed his commitment to working with African leaders, the AU Commission, regional stakeholders and international partners to promote stability, peace and sustainable development and advance the objectives of the AU’s Agenda 2063.

The commemoration comes ahead of the African Union’s 25th anniversary in 2027, according to the statement.