Sudan’s army chief, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, held talks with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi in Cairo on Thursday, as diplomatic efforts intensify to find a way out of Sudan’s ongoing conflict.
The Cairo meeting followed Burhan’s visit to Riyadh earlier this week, where he met Saudi officials. U.S. envoy Massad Boulos was also in the Saudi capital at the same time and held discussions with Saudi leaders, though there was no public confirmation of a meeting between Burhan and the American envoy.
After the Cairo talks, Egypt’s presidency reiterated its support for Sudan’s stability and unity, while firmly opposing the creation or recognition of any parallel governing authorities. Such moves, the statement said, would violate Sudan’s territorial integrity and cross “red lines” Egypt would not accept.
The statement added that Egypt reserves the right to take all measures permitted under international law and the joint defense agreement between the two countries to ensure those red lines are not breached.
Sudan descended into violence in April 2023 after a power struggle between the military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted into fighting in Khartoum and spread across the country.
Now in its third year, the war has killed more than 40,000 people, according to United Nations estimates, though humanitarian groups warn the true toll is likely far higher. The conflict has also triggered the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, displacing more than 14 million people and fueling widespread hunger and disease.
