Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Sunday called for the withdrawal of the armed militia from Sudanese cities as part of efforts aimed at protecting civilians.
The two ministers held a phone call during which they discussed a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest, foremost among them developments in Sudan. Both sides exchanged views on ways to support the political process and secure a ceasefire.
Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tamim Khallaf said the ministers “discussed the deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in Sudan and reviewed efforts to support de-escalation, while stressing the importance of swiftly reaching a humanitarian truce as a step toward a comprehensive ceasefire and the launch of an inclusive, Sudanese-owned political process.”
According to the spokesperson, the two sides also stressed the priority of establishing safe humanitarian corridors and zones for innocent civilians, particularly in light of the massacres and grave atrocities witnessed in El Fasher at the hands of the armed militia, “while emphasizing the importance of its withdrawal to ensure civilian safety” — in reference to the Rapid Support Forces.
The statement underscored the importance of quickly reaching a humanitarian truce leading to a comprehensive ceasefire and the launch of a purely Sudanese political process. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry also reaffirmed Cairo’s firm position in support of Sudan’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and rejected any equivalence between state institutions and armed militias.
