Sudanese minister: Egyptian media must deal with Bashir with decency

The Sudanese Minister of Investment, Mustafa Osman Ismail, attacked Egyptian media outlets for showing no decency to the Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir, who completed a two-day visit to Cairo.

Ismail pointed out, during his telephone interview with the Egyptian television programme Masr fi Youm, that respecting heads of state “should be a part of the media’s sense of decorum”. Ismail went on to suggest that it would perhaps prove useful for a meeting to be held between Egyptian and Sudanese journalists in order to establish a set of rules and ethics in the profession of journalism that would benefit both countries.

The minister pointed out that Al-Bashir’s visit to Cairo was part of a greater effort to restore relations between the two countries and that it should be framed as such.

He said the meeting between Al-Bashir and Egyptian President Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi was very successful as they agreed on almost all the issues that were proposed, especially with regards to promoting economic relations between the two countries. It was even suggested that a free trade zone be established between the two countries to ensure that they achieve the desired results.

Ismail went on to add that the two countries agreed to defend their rights to the Nile River’s water supply both in regards to the Renaissance Dam and the Nile Basin Initiative. They also discussed the importance of achieving reconciliation in Libya.