Egypt sets out ‘red lines’ on Sudan during Burhan’s visit to Cairo

Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council chairman, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, arrived in Cairo on Thursday for a short official visit, as the Egyptian presidency announced what it described as “red lines” that it will not allow to be crossed in relation to the Sudanese crisis.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was among those who received al-Burhan at Cairo International Airport.

In a statement, Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council said talks between al-Burhan and al-Sisi would focus on strengthening bilateral relations and expanding prospects for joint cooperation across various fields, as well as discussing the latest developments in Sudan.

The Egyptian presidency said in a separate statement that Cairo is following with “grave concern” the ongoing escalation and extreme tension in Sudan, as well as the “horrific massacres and flagrant violations of the most basic human rights” committed against Sudanese civilians, particularly in the city of El Fasher.

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The statement said Egypt “affirms that there are red lines that cannot be crossed or compromised”, warning that any breach would directly affect Egyptian national security, which it said is inseparably linked to Sudan’s national security.

It stressed that preserving Sudan’s unity and territorial integrity, and preventing any tampering with its resources or those of the Sudanese people, are among Egypt’s most important red lines. This includes preventing the secession of any part of Sudanese territory.

The presidency also reiterated Egypt’s categorical rejection of the establishment or recognition of any parallel entities in Sudan, describing such moves as a violation of the country’s unity and territorial integrity.

It added that protecting Sudanese state institutions and preventing any harm to them constitutes another red line for Egypt. Cairo affirmed its full right to take all necessary measures and actions permitted under international law and the Joint Defence Agreement with Sudan to ensure that these red lines are not crossed.

Al-Burhan is accompanied on the visit by the director of Sudan’s General Intelligence Service, Ahmed Ibrahim Mufaddal, and the undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muawiya Othman Khalid.

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