Egypt has warned against crossing what it described as its “red lines” in Sudan, signalling that it could take action under a joint defence agreement between the two countries amid escalating violence and atrocities by the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) military.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Egyptian presidency said Cairo considers the preservation of Sudanese state institutions and the prevention of any attempts to undermine them to be a red line that cannot be crossed.
It stressed Egypt’s “full right to take all measures and actions guaranteed by international law and by the joint defence agreement between the two brotherly countries”.
The statement followed a meeting in Cairo between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Sudan’s de facto leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who was on an official visit to the Egyptian capital.
The talks focused on ways to resolve the Sudanese crisis, as well as strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries across various fields.
According to the presidency, Egypt reiterated during the meeting its full support for the vision put forward by US President Donald Trump to achieve security, stability and peace in Sudan.
Cairo also expressed “grave concern” over the brutal war in Sudan, and over what it described as “horrific massacres and blatant violations of the most basic human rights” committed against Sudanese civilians, particularly in the city of El Fasher.
The statement said these developments have worsened the humanitarian crisis and deepened fears over Sudan’s future stability.
The Egyptian presidency said that any violation of Sudan’s unity, integrity and sovereignty would directly affect Egypt’s national security, which it said is closely linked to Sudan’s national security given the intertwined geographical, security and strategic interests between the two countries.
It also expressed rejection of any attempt to tamper with Sudan’s resources or any attempt to divide its territory.
Cairo also declared its opposition to the creation of any parallel entities in Sudan or recognition of them.
It also called for a humanitarian truce that would lead to a ceasefire.
This would include the establishment of safe humanitarian areas and corridors to provide protection for civilians, in full coordination with Sudanese state institutions.
The war in Sudan erupted in April 2023 after a power struggle between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces escalated into nationwide fighting, causing mass civilian casualties and displacement.
The remarks amount to one of Cairo’s strongest warnings yet on Sudan, as fighting and political fragmentation continue to threaten the country’s stability.
(New Arab)