Egypt Denies “Allegations” of Involvement in Sudan War and Demands Evidence from Hemedti

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied what it described as “allegations” made by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), the leader of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), regarding the involvement of Egyptian aircraft in the war in Sudan and attacks on his forces in Jebel Moya.

In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said, “The Arab Republic of Egypt denies these allegations and calls on the international community to review the evidence proving the claims made by the leader of the RSF militia.”

The ministry further added that “these allegations come amidst Egypt’s intensive efforts to stop the war, protect civilians, provide aid, and enhance international humanitarian response plans for those affected by the ongoing war in Sudan.” It emphasized Egypt’s commitment to “the security, stability, and unity of Sudan, both in terms of land and people.”

On Wednesday, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) accused Egypt, in a recorded video, of launching airstrikes against his forces. He claimed that the Egyptian Air Force bombed his forces in the Jebel Moya area of Sennar State during recent battles with the Sudanese army.

Asmaa El-Husseini, an expert on Sudanese affairs at Egypt’s Al-Ahram newspaper, commented on Hemedti’s statements, calling them a “rash and uncalculated” response to the defeats the RSF has faced in several areas. She noted that the “biggest loss” for Hemedti’s forces occurred at Jebel Moya, where his troops became surrounded.

El-Husseini added in comments to the BBC that “certain parties are trying to stir things up in Sudan and drag Egypt into the conflict,” but Cairo is well aware of the situation and has refrained from getting involved in the conflict over the past months. She emphasized that it is not in the RSF’s interest to “attack Egypt or implicate it in the conflict.”

El-Husseini also noted that Hemedti is facing not only military setbacks but also a “political decline” on the international level. Just two days prior, the United States imposed sanctions on Hemedti’s relatives for arms trafficking.

The U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday announced sanctions against Hemedti’s younger brother, Gony Hamdan Dagalo, for his involvement in purchasing weapons used by the RSF in military operations and attacks on El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur.

The U.S. Treasury accused the RSF of using these weapons to commit “brutal atrocities against civilians, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing.”

Sudanese analyst Taher Al-Mu’tasim noted that external interventions have become dominant in Sudan, with many countries involved. He warned that all parties are pursuing their interests and that prolonging the crisis will come with a price that must eventually be paid.

Al-Mu’tasim told the BBC that “numerous foreign reports and witnesses” have confirmed external interventions in Sudan, both politically and militarily, suggesting that Sudan may be heading towards a situation similar to Libya. He did not point to any specific country but acknowledged that “everyone, including the RSF, is receiving support.”

These developments come after the Sudanese army made some battlefield gains in Khartoum Bahri and the strategic Jebel Moya area following simultaneous military operations on multiple fronts.

In his video message, Hemedti alleged that Egypt “provided the Sudanese army with Chinese fighter jets” and supplied them with “250-kilogram American bombs.” He also accused the Egyptian military of “bombing one of his camps on the first day of the war at a training facility in Karrari, Omdurman,” claiming that they initially remained silent about Egypt’s role but that it has now “escalated” its involvement in the conflict.

The Sudanese army, in August, denied receiving any aircraft from Egypt, including claims that it had obtained Chinese jets from Cairo. The army clarified that it acquired K8 jets “directly from China” two decades ago and dismissed claims of Egyptian intervention in the war.

This is the first time Hemedti has publicly accused Egypt of direct involvement in the ongoing war in Sudan on the side of the army.

Asmaa El-Husseini argued that Egypt “has no interest in military intervention” in Sudan, as prolonging the conflict would not benefit Cairo, especially given the increasing influx of refugees into Egypt due to the war.

Al-Mu’tasim suggested that Hemedti might be attempting to legitimize intervention from other countries on his behalf, implying that Hemedti is signaling to his supporters that they should increase their assistance, including the supply of more weapons, to counter Egypt’s alleged intervention.

The civil war, which began in Sudan in April 2023, has displaced nearly 10 million people, with tens of thousands fleeing to Egypt. The war has also led to widespread hunger and waves of ethnic violence.

Egypt has taken a political approach to the crisis. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi stated that Egypt is “equally distant” from both sides of the conflict. In July 2023, Cairo hosted a summit of Sudan’s neighboring countries to discuss ways to resolve the crisis and end the conflict.

Egypt currently chairs the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, and in October, the council conducted its first visit to Sudan. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement last Thursday that the visit aimed to “formulate a comprehensive vision for the Sudanese crisis and find ways to help Sudan overcome its plight,” as well as “resume Sudan’s suspended membership in the African Union since October 2021.”

Asmaa El-Husseini questioned why Hemedti delayed accusing Egypt and asked, “Where is the evidence for this? Why now? And why hasn’t he provided any proof of Egypt’s direct involvement in the war?”

She added that if Egypt had wanted to intervene militarily, it could have done so at the start of the crisis. There were Egyptian forces and fighter jets stationed at Merowe Base in Sudan, but Egypt chose not to act, even when Hemedti’s forces detained some Egyptian soldiers, who were later released peacefully.

Sudanese analyst Al-Mu’tasim added that “everyone is awaiting the evidence,” noting that in an age of satellites and advanced technology, it is easy to track aircraft and identify their source.

Cairo hosted the summit of Sudan’s neighboring countries in July 2023 to discuss ending the war, and in July, it organized a conference for Sudan’s political and civilian factions in hopes of reaching a consensus to resolve the crisis.

One of Hemedti’s advisors recently announced that the RSF “will no longer negotiate” and will start launching attacks on the Sudanese army instead of merely “defending themselves,” according to him.