Why Is Egypt Always the First Foreign Destination for Sudanese Leaders?
By Brigadier General (Ret.) Omar Mohamed Othman
Every time Sudan enters a transitional phase or a new prime minister takes office, the same scene unfolds: the first official trip heads north… to Cairo. It often appears to be a well-rehearsed protocol, but in truth, it is far more profound than a mere tradition.
Today, Thursday, Cairo received the Sudanese Prime Minister, Dr Kamil Idris, on his first foreign visit since assuming office at the end of May. To those familiar with the nature of the relationship between the two countries, the visit may seem routine — yet it carries layers of meaning.
Sudan and Egypt are not merely two neighbouring states sharing a long border. They are nations bound by a river, a shared history, mutual concerns, and a common destiny. Their relationship transcends the notion of “good neighbourliness” and enters the realm of geography — a geography that does not permit the luxury of neglect or prolonged estrangement.
One beautiful detail, unknown to many, is that the iconic Sudanese patriotic song “Ya Khartoum al-‘indi Jamalak Jannat Ridwan” (O Khartoum, to me your beauty is the Garden of Paradise) was written by the late Egyptian poet Ibrahim Ragab, and sung by the beloved Sudanese artist, the late Sayyed Khalifa. That alone speaks volumes: the relationship between Khartoum and Cairo is not confined to official matters — it reaches deep into the hearts of the people.
Let us briefly rewind to September 2019, when Dr Abdalla Hamdok made Cairo his first stop just weeks after becoming prime minister. The message then was clear: Sudan extends its hand first to the capital closest to it, historically and geographically.
Today, Dr Kamil Idris follows suit — but under much more difficult and complex circumstances. The country is still groaning under the weight of war, the economy is staggering, and the political landscape is fragile. Amid all this, he chooses to begin… with Egypt.
These visits are not merely gestures of courtesy. They carry both internal and external messages. Internally, they signal that the government does not intend to isolate itself, and that it recognises the importance of maintaining a balanced relationship with its neighbours. Externally, they reaffirm that both Cairo and Khartoum still believe coordination between them is not a luxury — it is a necessity.
This relationship cannot be reduced to a single visit or joint communiqué. Still, such moments remain important indicators of mutual awareness: that each side is part of the other’s internal equation. Egypt knows Sudan’s stability is key to its national security. Sudan knows that ignoring Cairo only complicates matters — from the Nile to border issues, and on to refugees and trade.
It is no surprise, then, that Cairo is always the starting point. Not because tradition dictates it, but because history keeps reminding us that some doors can only be opened from one direction — the direction closest to the heart.
Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=6879