Sudan’s de facto leader, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, arrived in Egypt on Monday to discuss efforts to restore stability in his conflict-ravaged country.
Upon his arrival at Cairo Airport, Burhan was received by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, with both Egyptian and Sudanese media reporting on the visit.
Talks between the two leaders focused on recent developments in Sudan, including military advances by Sudanese army forces against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum, according to a statement from Egypt’s presidency.
They also reviewed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation and discussed Egypt’s potential role in post-war reconstruction and recovery efforts in Sudan. Both leaders stressed the need to step up humanitarian assistance for civilians caught in conflict zones.
Fighting between Sudan’s army and the RSF has been ongoing since April 15, 2023, resulting in one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. More than 20,000 people have been killed and around 15 million displaced, according to the United Nations and Sudanese authorities. However, U.S. researchers estimate the actual death toll could be as high as 130,000.
During their meeting, Sisi and Burhan also addressed wider regional concerns, including issues surrounding the Nile River Basin and the Horn of Africa.
They reaffirmed their commitment to coordinated efforts to safeguard both countries’ water security, rejecting unilateral actions related to the Nile’s resources, particularly those affecting the Blue Nile. Both leaders emphasized the importance of adhering to international law and ensuring equitable and reasonable use of the river’s waters.
Egypt and Sudan have long been at odds with Ethiopia over the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Cairo views as a major threat to its vital share of Nile River water, the country’s primary source of freshwater.