Al-Burhan in Egypt: Timing, Outcomes, and the Possibility of Coordination with Haftar

Cairo – Sudanhorizon – Sabah Musa
A new, unexpected, and unannounced visit by the Chairman of the Sovereignty Council, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, to Egypt—only two months after his last trip—reaffirms the strength of relations between the two countries and the high level of coordination and consultation on urgent bilateral and external issues.
Discussion of Developments
Al-Burhan arrived in the city of El Alamein on Monday evening, following his participation in the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Spain, organised by the United Nations. His talks with President El-Sisi focused on ways to strengthen bilateral relations, including efforts to rebuild Sudan and explore new avenues for joint cooperation, particularly in economic fields, reflecting the aspirations of both peoples for integration and mutual development.
According to the Egyptian Presidential Spokesperson, the meeting addressed the latest developments in the field of Sudan, as well as regional and international efforts to restore peace and stability in the country. President El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s firm stance in supporting Sudan’s unity, sovereignty, security, and stability, stressing Egypt’s readiness to make every possible effort in this regard. Both sides agreed on the importance of intensifying efforts to support the Sudanese people, given the harsh humanitarian conditions resulting from the ongoing conflict.

Possibility of Coordination
Observers of Sudanese-Egyptian relations consider mutual visits between the two countries natural, even without prior arrangements or announcements, due to the deep-rooted ties between them. However, this visit by Al-Burhan has raised many questions about the possibility of Cairo coordinating a meeting between him and Libyan army commander Khalifa Haftar, who had visited El Alamein just hours before Al-Burhan. Analysts have linked this to recent events in the border triangle region (between Egypt, Sudan, and Libya), where Rapid Support Forces (RSF), supported by Haftar’s troops, entered. They see the potential for coordination among the three parties to secure and protect the borders. However, no information has emerged yet about such a trilateral meeting.

Border Protection
The visit also follows statements by RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo “Hemedti,” in which he attempted to flatter Egypt by calling for dialogue—despite previously accusing it of joining the war on Sudan’s side and using Egyptian aircraft in combat. These statements sparked debate about the possibility of Cairo engaging with the RSF and how it might act to secure its borders around the triangle, especially as Egypt has not responded to these statements.

A High Price
Egypt responded only once to Hemedti’s accusations—after the Battle of Mount Moya. Observers of Egyptian policy may predict that Cairo will not respond further to Hemedti’s accusations or overtures. This is its official approach to such provocations—ignoring them. Egypt may have already responded practically to the RSF’s entry into the triangle by taking all necessary precautions along the border and remaining on high alert for any potential threats. If RSF forces cross into Egyptian territory, a concrete response would likely follow—and no one, including the international community, would blame Egypt. This scenario may be the only one in which Egypt would strike the RSF. However, Egypt seems unlikely to be drawn into a broader war within Sudan, viewing such involvement as entrapment. Hemedti’s sudden flattery could stem from his proximity to the border after entering the triangle and advice from his backers warning that provoking Egypt would come at a high cost.

Principled Position
President El-Sisi’s reaffirmation during his meeting with Al-Burhan of Egypt’s principled stance on Sudan was a clear message that Egypt’s position on the war remains unchanged: it supports Sudan’s unity, stability, territorial integrity, and institutions—especially the armed forces—and rejects any interference in its internal affairs. Egypt will not establish communication channels with Hemedti, and its consistent stance applies to all militias in Sudan or elsewhere. Egypt distinguishes between its foreign relations and national security and will not let ties with Haftar or others jeopardise its own security. It monitors all developments closely, even if it does not announce them, and acts based on what it deems necessary to protect its interests—without being drawn in or negligent.

An Open Question
The question remains: What does the timing of Al-Burhan’s visit to Egypt signify, and what will result from it?

A Normal Visit
Former Egyptian Deputy Foreign Minister and former Head of Sudan Affairs at the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Hossam Issa, believes the visit is normal—between two important allies (El-Sisi and Al-Burhan) during a critical phase for Sudan, both militarily and politically. He told Sudanhorizon that militarily, battles are intensifying in Kordofan, El-Fasher, and the triangle area—all key gateways to Darfur—following Sudanese army victories in central Sudan. Politically, a new government is forming in Sudan, raising several issues, especially the share of armed movements under the Juba Peace Agreement. Internationally, there is a Security Council session on Sudan calling for humanitarian aid, border openings, and facilitation of relief access. The army accepted a ceasefire in El-Fasher, which the RSF rejected and violated the next day by attacking the city. Thousands have fled due to the collapse of services, compounded by a cholera outbreak, medicine shortages, and other challenges caused by the RSF. Al-Burhan’s visit to Spain and participation in the international conference highlighted the legitimacy of the Sovereignty Council and the army.

Strategic Alliance
The former Deputy Foreign Minister also affirmed that Hemedti’s recent flattery will not change Cairo’s stance toward the Sudanese Armed Forces. El-Sisi reiterated Egypt’s principled position in his meeting with Al-Burhan. He noted that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is set to be officially inaugurated this year, requiring renewed coordination between the two countries on that file, along with other regional issues and maintaining safe navigation in the Red Sea. Also on the agenda: Sudan’s post-war reconstruction, Egypt’s role in rebuilding infrastructure such as roads and bridges, and enhancing bilateral economic cooperation, including increasing electricity interconnection from 70 to 100 megawatts. He stressed the strategic alliance between the two countries and the importance of continued visits and meetings at all levels.

Safeguarding Interests
Issa noted the coincidence of Al-Burhan’s and Haftar’s visits to El Alamein. He suggested that, given the reported RSF-Haftar joint incursion into the border triangle, the visits likely touched on such matters to preserve mutual interests. With shared security and borders, each country must consider the other’s security and interests, as developments in one will impact the other. He referenced speculation about a possible trilateral meeting between El-Sisi, Al-Burhan, and Haftar, wondering what would prevent its announcement if it had occurred. While no information has been released so far, that doesn’t rule out a significant Egyptian role in coordinating security between the three parties. He reiterated the mutual confidence in Egypt’s current approach, which remains unchanged: the Sudanese Armed Forces are the backbone and guarantor of Sudan’s unity and statehood, while militias are the source of instability. Egypt’s outreach to various parties aims solely at achieving a ceasefire. Its primary interlocutor remains the Sudanese state and its institutions, which Cairo sees as essential for regional security and the preservation of Sudan’s unity and sovereignty—not as expressions of tribal, sectarian, or ideological loyalties, but of loyalty to the nation as a whole.

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