Prime Minister’s Meeting with Journalists in Cairo
By Abdelmalik Al-Naeem
In my view, one of the most distinguished and significant activities accompanying Prime Minister Dr. Kamil Idris during his short official visit to Egypt at the end of last week was his meeting with journalists and media professionals based in Cairo. This took place at the conclusion of a dinner hosted by Sudan’s Ambassador, Lt. Gen. Imad Al-Din Mostafa Adawi, at his residence. The event gathered a large and diverse group of Sudanese in Cairo—university presidents and professors, politicians, dramatists, athletes, and others.
Given the critical role of the press in these challenging times, the Prime Minister granted journalists a dedicated meeting, attended by a select group united by their love for the homeland and their sense of the role expected of them during this stage, particularly in supporting Dr. Idris’s government. The questions and discussions reflected a clear vision and an objective reading of both the current situation and the desired course ahead.
The participants rose to the occasion, whether in recognition of the importance of the event itself or the pressing issues facing the “Government of Hope.” Questions focused on current concerns—chief among them security and its strengthening, as well as the voluntary return program, which has gained momentum. The Prime Minister announced the launch of 500 free buses to transport people to Khartoum. This prompted inquiries about how the government would balance this large influx with the need to provide security and essential services.
Questions were also raised about completing the cabinet—specifically the vacant posts of Foreign Affairs, Health, and Animal Resources ministers—and the apparent delay in these appointments. The Prime Minister expressed dissatisfaction with this delay, attributing it to “a fifth column” obstructing many efforts. This, however, raised the question of whom the Prime Minister could possibly complain to, as he is ultimately responsible for putting his own house in order.
He stated that no decision had been made for him to personally hold the post of Foreign Minister, but at the same time, he gave no indication of when the appointment would be made—at a time when the country is in dire need of a highly qualified figure for this role. “Sudan’s women are capable of producing many worthy of the position,” he added. He also revealed that the Minister of Animal Resources, who had come from the UAE, was dismissed, but no replacement has yet been appointed.
When asked about reports of secret negotiations with the UAE, Dr. Idris firmly denied the claim, saying: “I am here with you now, and General Al-Burhan is in Omdurman—so who exactly would be negotiating?” However, he neither confirmed nor denied the possibility of private initiatives unrelated to the government.
The meeting with Sudanese media professionals in Cairo was robust and stirred public interest. However, I believe it would also have been useful—and indeed necessary—to arrange a similar meeting with Egyptian journalists and accredited foreign correspondents in Cairo, given the significance of the event and Cairo’s role as a major media hub. This, in my view, highlighted the importance of having an active media attaché in a key station like Cairo, as well as other strategic locations. I have previously written about this matter and sent six letters to the Minister of Information during his first term. There is nothing to prevent repeating these recommendations, given their importance and the ongoing need.
