CAIRO, Egypt: Sudan’s army chief and de facto leader, General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, met Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi in Cairo on Thursday, as regional diplomacy intensifies around efforts to resolve Sudan’s devastating civil war.
The Cairo meeting followed Burhan’s visit to Riyadh earlier this week, where he held discussions with Saudi officials. U.S. envoy Massad Boulos was also in Riyadh at the same time and met with Saudi counterparts, though no public confirmation was issued regarding any direct interaction between Burhan and the American official.
In an official statement, the Egyptian presidency reiterated Cairo’s support for Sudan’s sovereignty and stability, while firmly rejecting “the establishment of any parallel entities or their recognition,” warning that such moves would violate Sudan’s unity and territorial integrity. The statement emphasized that there are “red lines” Egypt considers non-negotiable.
Egypt further asserted its “full right to take all necessary measures and actions guaranteed by international law and the Joint Defense Agreement between the two brotherly countries” to ensure those red lines are not crossed, underlining Cairo’s security and strategic stakes in Sudan’s future.
Sudan descended into chaos in April 2023 after a power struggle between the national army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted into open warfare in Khartoum and rapidly spread across the country.
Now in its third year, the conflict has killed more than 40,000 people, according to United Nations estimates, though humanitarian organizations warn the true death toll is likely far higher.
The war has also triggered the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. More than 14 million people have been displaced, while famine conditions and disease outbreaks continue to worsen across large swathes of the country, placing Sudan at the center of mounting regional and international concern.
-Fay Abuelgasim
