Cairo: Leaders of Sudan and Egypt discussed on Thursday ways to strengthen bilateral relations and the latest Sudanese developments amid ongoing fighting with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Head of Sudan's Transitional Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, arrived in Cairo for a one-day visit and was welcomed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi upon arrival.

According to Anadolu Agency, an Egyptian presidency statement indicated that the two leaders discussed the latest situation in Sudan and regional and international efforts to restore peace and stability in the country. Sisi reaffirmed Egypt's support for the Sudanese people and its unwavering stance on Sudan's unity, sovereignty, security, and stability.

In a further statement, the Egyptian presidency expressed support for US President Donald Trump's vision to achieve peace and security in Sudan, voicing concern over the ongoing escalation across the neighboring country, particularly in the besieged city of El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State. The statement underscored the unity and national security of Sudan as a 'red line' that cannot be crossed or compromised, rejecting any parallel unities within the country.

In July, the Sudan Founding Alliance, a coalition led by the RSF, announced the formation of a parallel government in Sudan, headed by RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The Egyptian presidency asserted its full right to take all necessary measures and procedures under international law and the joint military cooperation agreement with Sudan to ensure these red lines are not violated.

The meeting also addressed the two countries' rejection of any unilateral actions in the Blue Nile, a tributary of the Nile River, emphasizing the need to respect international law that safeguards the interests of all countries in the region. Burhan expressed his gratitude for Egypt's continued support to Sudan and efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis, highlighting the 'depth of the brotherly relations between the two countries.'

The conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which began in April 2023, has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions. In Sudan's 18 states, the RSF controls all five states of the Darfur region in the west, except for some northern parts of North Darfur that remain under army control. Meanwhile, the army holds most areas of the remaining 13 states in the south, north, east, and center, including the capital, Khartoum.