Egypt's foreign minister visits Sudan amid worsening humanitarian crisis

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has embarked on a diplomatic mission to Sudan for consultations with senior government officials in Port Sudan as the conflict between the national army and paramilitary forces continues to escalate. The visit aims to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation while exploring avenues for enhanced bilateral cooperation between Cairo and Khartoum amid what international organizations describe as one of the world's most severe humanitarian emergencies.

Humanitarian Focus

According to Egypt's Foreign Ministry, the diplomatic discussions will concentrate on Sudan's humanitarian crisis and efforts to achieve a comprehensive resolution that preserves the country's security and stability. The talks occur as Sudan faces massive internal displacement and widespread suffering following more than a year of intense fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of fatalities and displaced millions of Sudanese citizens since hostilities erupted in April 2023.

Regional Security Concerns

The diplomatic engagement follows the RSF's late October capture of El-Fasher, the North Darfur capital, where local and international monitors documented massacres and widespread human rights violations following the paramilitary's takeover. Egypt has maintained support for Sudan's government throughout the conflict and has participated in international mediation efforts aimed at establishing humanitarian truces. Cairo's diplomatic involvement reflects growing regional concerns about the conflict's potential to destabilize neighboring countries and create lasting security challenges.

Territorial Control Dynamics

The RSF's seizure of El-Fasher completed the paramilitary's control over all five states in the Darfur region, representing approximately one-fifth of Sudan's total territory. Government forces continue to hold most areas across the remaining thirteen states, including the capital Khartoum, where the majority of Sudan's 50 million residents reside. The territorial division has created what analysts describe as a de facto partition of the country, with humanitarian access severely constrained in conflict-affected regions.