Egypt’s Role in Sudan: Prioritizing Stability and Solutions

By: Ammar Awad
Egypt’s recent diplomatic engagement in Sudan, marked by the visit of Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aty to Port Sudan, underscores the increasing urgency of addressing shared challenges between the two nations. This comes amidst significant developments on the ground, including the Sudanese army’s advances, recapturing major towns in central Sudan, and nearing Wad Madani, the regional capital, even as Rapid Support Forces (RSF) bombard the city of El-Fasher in western Sudan.
Abdel-Aty’s visit followed a high-level meeting in Italy during the G7 Summit, involving the foreign ministers of the United States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE. The discussions focused on Sudan’s escalating crisis, emphasizing the need for a ceasefire, humanitarian relief, and adherence to the Jeddah Declaration commitments, which call for civilian protection and a Sudanese-led political process ensuring the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Calls for International Action
During the meeting, Abdel-Aty urged donor countries to fulfill their financial pledges made at the Paris conference, amounting to $2 billion. To date, only 20% of this has been delivered, leaving host nations like Egypt overwhelmed by the influx of Sudanese refugees.
The minister’s visit highlights Egypt’s broader regional and international role, coinciding with recent agreements in Rome. These agreements reaffirmed Sudan’s commitment to opening humanitarian corridors, a step that has garnered praise from the United Nations and international donors. For example, the UK pledged over $100 million in aid for Sudan and neighboring refugee-hosting countries, while the U.S. eased restrictions to facilitate development assistance. This led to a World Bank-approved grant of $300 million for health, education, and agriculture initiatives.
Despite these measures, logistical and security challenges persist. Humanitarian aid remains hindered by a lack of safe access due to ongoing conflict, city sieges, and the absence of a comprehensive ceasefire. While Sudan has reopened airports and allowed aerial aid drops in Darfur and South Kordofan, critical areas like Khartoum and Gezira remain heavily affected.
Military Standpoints and Political Deadlock
Sudan’s military leadership remains firm on its conditions for a ceasefire. General Shams al-Din Kabashi, speaking from the recently reclaimed Sennar Sugar Factory, emphasized that negotiations with the RSF would only proceed if the militia agrees to disarm and assemble in designated camps. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Chairman of the Sovereign Council, has reiterated this stance, outlining a sequential process: RSF withdrawal from civilian areas, unimpeded humanitarian access, a Sudanese-led political dialogue, the establishment of a civilian government, and finally, elections.
This position reflects public frustration and a desire for normalcy. However, a ceasefire under current conditions could leave RSF forces entrenched in urban areas, complicating long-term stability. Moreover, while aid would reach some conflict zones, it risks sidelining the needs of internally displaced persons and refugees in camps in Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt, which hosts the largest number of Sudanese families.
Balancing Regional and International Interests
RSF enjoys external support and internal political allies advocating for simultaneous political and ceasefire negotiations. Some factions push for a “Declaration of Principles” as a foundation for a comprehensive settlement. On the other hand, powerful forces align with the military’s view that political dialogue should commence only after the RSF’s withdrawal from urban areas. The Coordination of Progress, a coalition of political groups, has been deliberating on this issue in Kampala, engaging new stakeholders from workshops in Geneva.
Egypt remains steadfast in its position. Foreign Minister Abdel-Aty reiterated Cairo’s commitment to a Sudanese-owned political solution, emphasizing impartiality and prioritizing Sudan’s unity and sovereignty. This stance was also evident at a seminar hosted by the Egyptian Cultural Center in Cairo, where veteran diplomat Salah Halima presented a roadmap for dialogue. His proposal, reflecting consultations with various Sudanese factions, called for recognition of the Sovereign Council as a starting point for a broader peace process aligned with the Jeddah Declaration.
Critical Challenges Ahead
From Abdel-Aty’s statements in Port Sudan, it is evident that Egypt is navigating unprecedented challenges. These include the contentious Nile Basin Initiative signed in Entebbe and Sudan’s suspended African Union membership, which Egypt has pledged to reinstate. Sudan’s recent diplomatic engagements, including General Burhan’s visits to Eritrea and South Sudan, suggest a regional effort to garner support for readmission to the AU.
Paving the Way Forward
With financial resources aligned and Sudan fulfilling its commitments, the focus shifts to finalizing mechanisms for implementing the Jeddah Declaration and establishing a political framework inclusive of all stakeholders. If progress is made by early 2024, Sudan’s return to the African Union in January appears feasible, creating a more stable landscape for the anticipated re-election of former U.S. President Donald Trump in February. A unified Sudan within the AU would compel Washington to approach Sudan differently, potentially averting externally imposed solutions contrary to the aspirations of the Sudanese people.
Until then, we can only hope for wisdom, resilience, and a swift resolution for Sudan and its people.