A still photo of Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi speaking at Sudan's Neighbouring Countries' Summit in Cairo on Thursday
During his speech at the summit, he presented his comprehensive vision, which focuses on key elements for achieving a peaceful resolution.
Based on El-Sisi’s speech, Ahram Online highlighted Egypt’s stance in the following elements:
First:
He called on the warring parties to immediately cease escalation and engage in serious negotiations aimed at achieving an immediate and lasting ceasefire.
Second:
He urged all Sudanese parties to facilitate access to humanitarian aid and establish safe passages for delivery to areas in need within Sudan. He also called for the development of mechanisms to ensure the necessary protection for humanitarian aid convoys and international relief staff in order to enable them to carry out their work.
Third:
He proposed launching an inclusive dialogue involving political and civil forces, as well as representatives of women and youth, with the aim of starting a comprehensive political process that fulfills the ambitions and aspirations of the Sudanese people for security, prosperity, stability, and democracy.
Fourth:
He suggested the creation of a communication mechanism, resulting from the conference, to develop an executive action plan for achieving a comprehensive solution to the Sudanese crisis. This mechanism would be responsible for direct engagement with the parties to the conflict and coordination with existing frameworks.
El-Sisi also addressed the people of Sudan, expressing his sorrow over the scenes of devastation, destruction, and killing, which are causing great pain to Egyptians as well. He expressed solidarity with the people of Sudan and prayed for a swift end to their ordeal.
El-Sisi said “the brotherly and dear people” of Sudan, saying: ”The scenes of devastation, destruction and killing we are seeing are bleeding the hearts of all Egyptians, we feel the suffering and pain of our brothers in Sudan. We pray Allah Almighty to lift this ordeal as soon as possible.”
El-Sisi emphasized the importance of upholding the supreme interest and working towards maintaining the sovereignty and unity of Sudan, free from foreign interference that seeks to achieve narrow interests that do not serve Sudan's stability, peace, or the region.
"I reaffirm that Egypt will spare no effort to help restore security, stability and peace across this brotherly country, in collaboration with all neighbouring and friendly parties," the president concluded.
Egypt’s efforts towards the crisis
The summit, called upon by El-Sisi, is meant to protect the Sudanese state and its resources and curb the continuation of the grave effects of the crisis on the neighbouring countries as well as on the security and stability of the entire region.
It also discussed mechanisms to address the dire humanitarian situation resulting from the influx of thousands of Sudanese refugees into their countries since the conflict broke out in mid-April.
The war in Sudan has displaced nearly three million people since 15 April 2023, with almost 700,000 seeking safety in neighbouring countries, according to recent figures from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Displacement Tracking Matrix.
Egypt has the highest number of refugees followed by Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and the Central African Republic (CAR) and has opened its doors to Sudanese refugees since the outbreak of violence, providing all the necessary resources and humanitarian aid.
In late June, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry stated that Egypt has received over 250,000 Sudanese, which accounts for about 60 percent of the total number of Sudanese who have fled their country. Furthermore, there were already five million Sudanese living in Egypt.
Shoukry's remarks indicated that Egypt has offered approximately 300 tons of essential medical and food aid to those escaping the violence, and has helped evacuate roughly 10,000 foreign workers employed by diplomatic missions and international organizations.
Hundreds of tons of medical and relief aid have been provided to Sudan through Port Sudan, and tens of tons of international humanitarian aid have been transported to the country with Egypt's help.
At border crossings, the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) has established a humanitarian centre, while the Egyptian authorities have deployed 15 mobile clinics, several fixed clinics and pharmacies, and 12 medical convoys.
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