Egypt and Sudan Foreign Ministers Discuss Peace Efforts Amid Ongoing Conflict

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Sudan’s Foreign Minister Omar Siddiq held a phone conversation on Wednesday, focusing on efforts to end the war in Sudan and restore stability in the country.

According to a statement from Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussion covered Egypt’s role in supporting peace initiatives, particularly through its participation in the international quartet working on Sudan. Abdelatty emphasized Cairo’s continued backing of Sudan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and stressed the importance of maintaining the unity of the country.

Siddiq thanked Egypt for its ongoing political and diplomatic support and expressed a desire to strengthen ties between the two nations.

The call took place against the backdrop of deepening divisions in Sudan. Over the weekend, the Sudanese Founding Alliance, a group led by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), announced the formation of a rival government headed by RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. This development followed a declaration made in Kenya in February, where the RSF and its allies signed a charter aiming to establish an alternative authority in Sudan.

Since April 2023, the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF has led to a humanitarian crisis, with over 20,000 reported deaths and 14 million people displaced. Some academic research suggests the actual death toll could be significantly higher, possibly around 130,000.