On November 2, 2021, ECFA organized a roundtable to discuss the latest developments in the Sudanese scene and their repercussions on Egypt-Sudan bilateral relations. Along with ECFA Chairman and ECFA Director, a number of ECFA members who are experts in Sudanese affairs, participated, including Dr. Amani Al-Taweel, Dr. Al-Sayed Fleifel, ambassadors Salah Halima, Mohamed Al-Shazly and Mohamed Badr Al-Din Zayed.
The roundtable concluded with a number of recommendations, including in particular: that the developments that Sudan is currently witnessing require that Egypt: be in close contact with all components and sects of Sudanese society, including civil society organizations, and in particular the Sudanese Professionals Association; avoid speaking – at both the official and media levels, and also if possible, the popular level – about what happened as a coup or a correction of the course, but rather urging all parties to agree in a manner consistent with the constitutional document, the interests of the Sudanese people, and the preservation of the unity and integrity of state institutions. In connection with the previous point, it is important for the Egyptian media to highlight Egypt’s commitment to stand at the same distance from all Sudanese forces, and to affirm its policy of non-interference in Sudanese internal affairs; Egypt to consider playing a positive and constructive role in cooperation and coordination with the State of South Sudan, to resolve the existing crisis between the civil and military components, within the framework of the constitutional document, with keenness on interacting with all international mediators, especially the Western Troika, which plays a direct and influential role between the parties to the crisis, along with the UN and the U.S. Envoys for the Horn of Africa, bearing in mind that current developments may require considering the appointment of an Egyptian special envoy to Sudan (and the Horn of Africa).
In addition to the above, the following points should also be considered: the provision of health and food assistance to the most affected areas, with the necessity of maintaining the threads of the current movement in Sudan to preserve what has been agreed upon with the Sudanese side, in connection with the Renaissance Dam and Egypt’s water interests in general. This is also associated with the importance of following up on the Ethiopian moves in Sudan, and the extent to which they harm the interests of Egypt and Sudan (Addis Ababa opened an office for the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – Abdelaziz Al-Hilu Group, and another in “Assosa” the capital of the Benishangul region).
