Addis Ababa, 13 August 2013: The African Union (AU) High-Level Panel for Egypt is holding a meeting in Addis Ababa, at the AU headquarters, since yesterday, 12 August 2013, as part of the implementation of its mandate.

During the current meeting, which will last until 14 August 2013, the High-Level Panel will assess the outcomes of the visit it undertook to Egypt from 27 July to 4 August 2013 and the outcome of its consultations with the various stakeholders. The Panel, which continues to follow closely the evolution of the political and security situation in Egypt, as well as related international efforts, will, on the basis of this assessment, determine the next steps in the implementation of its mandate. The Panel is also planning to meet with the AU Chairman, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn of Ethiopia, to inform him about the activities it has undertaken to date, and to provide a progress report during the meeting of the Peace and Security Council which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 14 August 2013. Yesterday, 12 August 2013, the Deputy Chairperson of the Commission, Erastus Mwencha, on behalf of the Chairperson of the Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, met with the Panel to discuss the situation in Egypt and the efforts it is deploying.

The High-Level Panel, which was established on 8 July 2013, is led by former President Alpha Oumar Konare of Mali, and includes former President Festus Mogae of Botswana and former Prime Minister Dileita Mohamed Dileita of Djibouti. It held its inaugural meeting in Addis Ababa on 16 July 2013.

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