Egypt’s Foreign Minister Meets Sudan’s Military Leader in Port Sudan

Egypt’s top diplomat met with Sudan’s military leader on Tuesday to advance a ceasefire plan as the war-torn nation faces a catastrophic humanitarian situation following the paramilitary capture of a key Darfur city. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reiterated Cairo’s condemnation of atrocities in el-Fasher and emphasized the ‘need to commit to the peace plan’ announced by a quartet including the US, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The proposed plan includes a three-month humanitarian truce followed by a nine-month political process to resolve the conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) stated they have agreed to the humanitarian truce, while the Sudanese army insisted on certain conditions. The conflicting responses highlight the challenges faced by mediators in bridging the gap between former allies now engaged in a full-scale war after initially collaborating on a democratic transition. The recent capture of el-Fasher by the RSF has triggered a mass exodus, forcing nearly 90,000 people to flee without access to basic necessities. Aid groups and UN officials report hundreds dead and widespread atrocities committed by the paramilitary force, exacerbating the already severe humanitarian crisis in Darfur. The diplomatic efforts are crucial as the conflict in North Darfur shows no signs of abating, with continuous violence and displacement of civilians. The engagement between Egypt’s Foreign Minister and Sudan’s military leader strives to find a peaceful resolution and mitigate the suffering of the war-torn nation.