Egypt: Sudan’s unity and territory are inviolable.
The Egyptian presidency issued a statement, coinciding with the visit of Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the Sudanese Transitional Sovereignty Council, to Cairo, stressing that Egypt is following the escalation of tensions in Sudan with great concern.
The statement states: We emphasize our full support for the special vision of the US President regarding the achievement of security, peace, and stability in Sudan; there are red lines that cannot be crossed or neglected because Egypt’s national security is directly related to Sudan’s national security.
The Egyptian presidency’s statement adds: Preserving Sudan’s unity and territorial integrity is one of our most important red lines; the separation of any part of Sudan’s territory is not possible; preserving the institutions of the Sudanese government and preventing any damage to it is another red line for Egypt.
The statement also stated: We emphasize our full willingness to continue cooperation within the framework of the International Committee to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire and our right to take all measures and actions in accordance with international law and the mutual defense agreement with Sudan to ensure that the red lines are not violated.
The Egyptian presidency also emphasized its firm opposition to the creation of any parallel institution or its recognition, considering it an attack on the unity of Sudan and its territorial integrity.
According to IRNA, armed clashes in Sudan began on April 15, 2023, between the army commanded by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces commanded by Mohammed Hamdan Daqlou over power and tension regarding how to integrate the Rapid Support Forces into the army after the 2021 coup, and international mediation to end it has not yielded results so far.
The Rapid Support Forces, which had besieged the city of Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, for more than a year, captured the city on November 25 of this year. Khartoum authorities, the United Nations, and other international institutions and organizations have accused the Rapid Support Forces of committing “massacres and widespread human rights violations against civilians” in the city, including summary executions, arrests, and forced displacement of residents.
The Rapid Support Armed Militia, which is supported by some foreign parties, including the UAE government, recently claimed a unilateral ceasefire for three months. Still, fighting continues in parts of western Sudan, including in Kordofan state.