Egypt Emphasizes Its Support for Sudan’s Stability and Territorial Integrity

In his first visit to Sudan since the outbreak of war in April 2023, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aty delivered a message from President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Chairman of the Sudanese Transitional Sovereign Council, who received him in Port Sudan on Tuesday.

The Egyptian minister conveyed President Sisi’s pride in the historic and brotherly relations between Egypt and Sudan and Egypt’s commitment to exerting all efforts to achieve security and stability for Sudan. Abdel-Aty, according to a statement from the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the visit aimed to express Egypt’s sincere solidarity with Sudan during this critical historical juncture, and to stand by a brotherly country in light of the deep ties and brotherly relations between the two peoples.

He also highlighted Egypt’s keen interest in actively engaging in regional and international efforts to ensure Sudan’s stability, safeguard its interests, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, noting Egypt’s efforts to help Sudan resume its activities within the African Union.

During Abdel-Aty’s visit to Port Sudan, an official consultation session was held between him and Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Yusuf Al-Sharif, with the delegations of both countries present. The Egyptian minister emphasized Egypt’s full support for Sudan, its leadership, and its people, as well as Egypt’s determination to exert efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people.

According to the statement, Egypt reiterated its call for an immediate ceasefire, a swift pace for the delivery of humanitarian aid, and the importance of cooperating with UN initiatives and its agencies, as well as international relief organizations to facilitate the delivery of such aid.

Both sides also discussed the issue of water security in detail, with the two countries’ positions aligned as downstream nations of the Nile River. They agreed to continue their close coordination and cooperation to preserve and protect the water security of both Egypt and Sudan.

The visit also included a meeting between Abdel-Aty and Lieutenant General Ibrahim Jaber, member of the Transitional Sovereign Council and Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces. The Egyptian minister reiterated his country’s firm stance in supporting Sudanese national institutions and respecting Sudan’s territorial integrity and unity.

Furthermore, Minister Abdel-Aty met with representatives of the Sudanese business community to enhance cooperation between the two countries’ businessmen, explore opportunities for joint investment, and benefit from the vast opportunities offered by the Egyptian economy, with a focus on increasing trade exchange between the two brotherly nations. He also met with a group of Sudanese politicians and civil society representatives, as well as members of the Egyptian community in Port Sudan, and listened to their concerns and feedback.

For its part, the Sudanese Embassy in Cairo quoted Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Yusuf as expressing his gratitude to Egypt for its strong support for Sudan, especially in its fight for national dignity against the rebel Rapid Support Forces and their regional backers, as described in the statement.

The Sudanese statement also highlighted that both sides discussed ways to ease the challenges facing Sudanese citizens temporarily residing in Egypt due to the war, particularly in migration and education issues, and agreed on practical and effective solutions to address these concerns in light of the enduring relations between the two peoples.