Sudan

Egypt to host inter-Sudanese political talks in June to discuss ending war

Sudan's General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan salutes as he listens to the national anthem after landing in the military airport of Port Sudan, on his first trip away following fighting in Khartoum, on August 27, 2023.(Photo: Ibrahim Mohammed Ishak/Reuters)

By Amina Wako | Wednesday, May 29, 2024

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Tuesday that the conference would take place in Cairo, with participation from a wide spectrum of Sudanese civil political forces, alongside regional and international partners.

The Egyptian government has announced plans to host a conference of Sudanese civil and political forces at the end of June, bringing together an array of political factions in hopes of achieving lasting peace.

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Tuesday that the conference would take place in Cairo, with participation from a wide spectrum of Sudanese civil political forces, alongside regional and international partners.

Keep reading

A press release said the meeting aims '' to reach a consensus among the various Sudanese civil political forces on ways to build comprehensive and lasting peace in Sudan through a Sudanese-Sudanese national dialogue based on a purely Sudanese vision."

The Sudanese army, headed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, have been engaged in a devastating civil war in Sudan since April 2022.

The conflict has ravaged the country, causing widespread human suffering, displacement, and destruction.

Deputy head of Sudan's sovereign council General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo speaks during a news conference at Rapid Support Forces head quarter in Khartoum, Sudan, on February 19, 2023. (Photo: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters)

Estimates by the United Nations (UN) indicate that the conflict has displaced nearly six million people within the country, while over 2 million have sought refuge in five neighbouring countries.

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasised that the invitation was based on the belief that the conflict was primarily a Sudanese issue and that any future political process should involve all active national parties on the Sudanese scene.

The ministry said it had extended the invitation within the framework of respecting Sudan's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, refraining from interfering in its internal affairs, and preserving the state and its institutions.

Egypt's keenness to assist Sudan in overcoming the crisis stems from the deep historical, social, fraternal, and cultural ties that bind the Egyptian and Sudanese peoples together.

"It is based on Egypt's commitment to supporting all efforts to achieve peace and stability in Sudan," the ministry said.

Former Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister Ambassador Ali al-Hafni expressed hope that all Sudanese forces would welcome Cairo's invitation, paving the way for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Egypt's commitment to supporting all efforts to achieve peace and stability in Sudan is unwavering, and this invitation is a testament to that commitment.

“The upcoming conference will provide the right conditions and place to bring the Sudanese parties around one table with hopes to reach an understanding and put an end to the internal strife, stop the bloodshed, allow the return of displaced Sudanese, and facilitate the delivery of aid,” Ali told the Asharq Al-Awsat news agency.