The Commander of the Sudanese Army, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, met today, Tuesday, with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi in his first foreign trip since the outbreak of conflict in Sudan in April. This meeting came a day after Al-Burhan announced his rejection of calls for new negotiations with the Rapid Support Forces.
The two sides discussed a proposal put forward by the Egyptian president to mediate in the conflict during a brief meeting in the coastal city of Alamein, an initiative that Al-Burhan stated he welcomed, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency.
On Monday, Al-Burhan stated that the Sudanese army he leads would defeat the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and would never sign an agreement with them, dispelling hopes for talks to end a conflict that has plunged Sudan into severe humanitarian crises. During the meeting at the presidential palace in Alamein, he indicated that the Sudanese leadership is seeking to complete the path toward democratic transition until the Sudanese people choose their rulers. He added that there is no inclination among the armed forces to seize power or rule in Sudan.
For its part, the Egyptian presidency stated in a statement that the meeting between Sisi and Al-Burhan reviewed developments in the situation in Sudan and consulted on efforts aimed at resolving the crisis. The Egyptian presidency noted that Sisi affirmed Egypt's position of standing by Sudan and supporting its security, stability, and the unity and integrity of its territories. It also indicated that Al-Burhan praised the Egyptian support for maintaining the safety and stability of Sudan.
This marks the first time Al-Burhan has left Sudan since the onset of the conflict, which erupted amid disputes over plans to integrate the Rapid Support Forces with the army into a single force as part of the transition to democracy. Al-Burhan is also expected to visit Saudi Arabia, which, along with the United States, has held meetings with both warring parties that resulted in short-lived ceasefire agreements.
In brief remarks from Alamein, Al-Burhan expressed his desire to end the conflict without addressing the possibility of negotiations. He stated, "We ask the world to look at this war objectively and correctly. This war was initiated by a group wanting to seize power, and for that, they committed every atrocious crime imaginable."
Activists and victims have accused the Rapid Support Forces of looting homes, raping dozens of women, and waging an ethnic war that has displaced hundreds of thousands from Geneina in western Darfur. The Rapid Support Forces deny these accusations but have stated they would refer any fighter proven to be involved in violations to justice.
Two Egyptian security sources reported that although the Rapid Support Forces welcomed the Egyptian initiative, which includes a call for a ceasefire for months, they appeared hesitant to take further steps. A Western diplomat said, "Al-Burhan benefits from a public relations advantage," adding that Al-Burhan's appearance outside Khartoum would enhance his standing, even as Western countries view both sides of the conflict as warring parties.
The army and the Rapid Support Forces face accusations of being involved in fighting in residential areas and firing indiscriminately with heavy weapons, leading to the deaths of hundreds of civilians in the capital and other major cities. Both sides deny the accuracy of these reports and exchange accusations of targeting civilians.
In Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state and one of the most densely populated cities in Sudan, fighting has disrupted phone and electricity networks and halted humanitarian assistance for weeks, leaving tens of thousands of residents trapped. In one of the documented cases by Doctors Without Borders and local residents, nearly 20 people were killed after being caught in crossfire while hiding under a bridge last Wednesday.
