Egypt calls for the immediate cessation of military operations in Sudan and the prioritisation of dialogue, according to a statement released by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday 16/4/2023.
Egypt urges the involved parties to immediately stop military operations to spare the blood of the brotherly Sudanese people, the statement added.
The statement also emphasised the need to protect the lives of Egyptian expatriates in Sudan (including the facilities and properties of the Egyptian official missions).
The foreign ministry affirmed that it was “imperative that no external party attempt to exploit Sudan’s current situation by carrying out actions that further exacerbate the conflict or undermine the country’s territorial integrity.”
Fierce clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted in the capital Khartoum and elsewhere in the country since the early hours of Saturday morning. At least five civilians were killed and 78 wounded Sunday, bringing the two-day toll to 61 dead and more than 670 wounded.
Egypt is currently holding consultations with the concerned parties both inside and outside Sudan to defuse the current crises, the ministry added.
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and South Sudan President Salva Kiir stated in a phone call on Sunday that they were willing to mediate between the Sudanese parties amidst ongoing clashes between the Sudanese army and the RSF.
Furthermore, the Arab League held an emergency meeting on Sunday at the level of permanent representatives at the behest of Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
EgyptAir suspended on Saturday all flights to and from Khartoum for a period of 72 hours, while the Egyptian Embassy in Sudan called for Egyptian expatriates to exercise maximum caution.
Source: State Information Service Egypt