Sudan’s de facto leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has received a formal invitation to visit Egypt from President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, as regional dynamics around the Sudan conflict continue to shift.
The message was delivered in writing by the Egyptian ambassador to Sudan, Hani Salah, during a meeting held in Port Sudan on Wednesday. The session was also attended by Sudan’s acting Foreign Minister Ali Youssif.
The invitation follows growing public divisions between Egypt and Saudi Arabia on one hand, and the United Arab Emirates on the other, over approaches to Sudan’s protracted war. The tension surfaced during an international conference on Sudan held in London earlier this week, where efforts to form a unified international contact group reportedly collapsed amid disagreements.
According to diplomatic sources, Egypt and Saudi Arabia stressed the importance of recognizing Sudan’s official state institutions, a clear nod to their backing of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Sovereign Council. In contrast, the UAE’s position, as echoed by its representative at the London gathering, emphasized that neither the army nor the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) legitimately represent the Sudanese people.
Saudi Arabia’s deputy foreign minister, speaking from Riyadh, reiterated his country’s opposition to the formation of any parallel authority—a clear reference to reports that the RSF may soon announce its own rival government. The statements marked the first time Egypt and Saudi Arabia have so publicly distanced themselves from the UAE’s perceived stance.
During Wednesday’s meeting, Ambassador Salah discussed recent developments in Sudan, including the humanitarian situation in Darfur and the outcomes of the London conference. He also briefed General al-Burhan on the progress of bilateral initiatives, including plans to host the second Sudanese-Egyptian Business Forum.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Salah emphasized Cairo’s continued support for Khartoum. “Egypt stands with the Sudanese people, not only because of shared borders and history but because of a deep and enduring partnership,” he said.
He further noted Egypt’s commitment to helping Sudan navigate its crisis, calling on the international community to ensure the war in Sudan is no longer treated as a “forgotten conflict.” Salah also lauded the resilience and solidarity of the Sudanese people, expressing hope for joint recovery and reconstruction efforts.
General al-Burhan reportedly welcomed the invitation and instructed his team to coordinate with their Egyptian counterparts to schedule the visit.
This development comes as Sudan’s war, now in its second year, continues to attract competing regional and international interests, complicating efforts to secure peace and stability.