Meeting between Sudan and Egypt postponed

The Sudanese foreign ministry announced yesterday that joint talks between Sudan and Egypt have been postponed until further notice.

The two sides had been expected to meet at foreign ministerial level in Khartoum but Sudan announced that weather conditions affecting the movement of air traffic had prevented the Egyptian foreign minister, Sameh Shoukry, from arriving in the Sudanese capital.

The discussions are part of the political consultation process that began in January this year to discuss and agree upon improved cooperation between the two countries on economic, security and development issues.

Last month, following a diplomatic row over Sudan’s ancient pyramids, Sudan Foreign Minister, Ibrahim Ghandour, and his Egyptian counterpart issued a joint statement stressing the need “to respond with utmost wisdom to the irresponsible handling of relations by some media outlets and social media users who seek to harm these strong relations against the higher interests of the two peoples.”

Read: Egyptians require visa to enter Sudan

On Friday, President Omar Al-Bashir issued a decree requiring Egyptian nationals between the ages of 18-50 to process visas prior to entering Sudan. The move aims to reciprocate the restrictions placed on Sudanese citizens imposed by the Egyptian government but will not include women and children.

In 2004, despite the two sides signing the Four Freedoms agreement removing restrictions on work, movement, residence and ownership, Cairo continued to require 18-50-year-olds from Sudan to apply for a visa before travelling.

No new date for the meeting has been announced.