Egypt's FM visits Port Sudan

Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty is visiting Port Sudan on Wednesday to hold high-level discussions with senior Sudanese officials regarding the ongoing crisis in the country.

Sudan has been embroiled in a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023. The violence has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and has displaced millions of people, many seeking refuge in neighboring Egypt.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported this month that famine conditions have already taken hold in five regions of Sudan. 

Without immediate intervention, famine could spread to five more areas, including Um Kadadah and El Fasher, by mid-2025. Additionally, 17 other regions are at high risk.

This week marked a significant shift in the conflict as the Sudanese Armed Forces advanced into Wad Madani, a strategically important city near Khartoum. This victory pushed out RSF forces and secured critical supply routes connecting various states. 

Despite this gain, the RSF still controls most of Gezira state, nearly all of the western Darfur region, and large areas in the south. The Sudanese army maintains its grip on the northern, eastern regions, and parts of the capital, Khartoum.

During his previous visit to Port Sudan last month, Minister Abdelatty met with top Sudanese officials, reiterating Egypt's position that Sudan's future should be determined solely by its people without external interference. He emphasized Egypt’s unwavering support for the Sudanese people and state institutions, which he described as vital for preserving the nation’s integrity and resources.

In his meeting with General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to participating in regional and international initiatives aimed at restoring stability in Sudan.

Egypt’s role in regional peace efforts

Since the onset of the war in 2023, Egypt has consistently called for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire to end the conflict and prevent further civilian casualties and destruction. 

Egypt has collaborated with international efforts, particularly those led by the United States and Saudi Arabia, to mediate peace in Sudan. Additionally, Egypt has played a key role in forming a ministerial mechanism involving foreign ministers from Sudan's neighboring countries to coordinate joint efforts in resolving the crisis.