Egyptian Circles Worried Over RSF Threats, Sources Told “Sudanhorizon”: Egypt Will Respond if Necessary
Cairo – Sudanhorizon – Sabah Musa
Following accusations from Hemedti, leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), that Egypt bombed his forces from the air, the RSF has launched an organised media campaign threatening Egypt and targeting its interests in Sudan. The RSF expressed its discontent with Egypt’s response, which referred to the RSF as a militia, and escalated its rhetoric, warning that it would retaliate if Egypt continued to intervene in Sudanese affairs.
Accusations of Support
In a statement, the RSF claimed that the Egyptian government has never ceased providing military support to the Sudanese army, including weapons, ammunition, bombs, and training, alongside technical, political, diplomatic, and media support. The RSF warned the Egyptian government and its institutions against continuing to interfere in Sudan’s internal affairs by supporting what it called the “Islamist-captured” Sudanese army.
Threats and Warnings
The RSF’s threats against Egypt are accompanied by a media campaign aimed at severing Egypt’s interests in Sudan. Several RSF leaders and advisors appeared in videos attacking Egypt, warning those cooperating with Egyptian traders and threatening to block any goods from being exported to Egypt. Some media figures associated with the militia even threatened to strike the Aswan High Dam.
Strong Defeats
Hemedti’s emotional and erratic speech, in which he lashed out in all directions, both internally and externally, started with an attack on Egypt as if the speech was designed specifically for this purpose. This suggests that either Hemedti has suffered significant defeats in strategic areas like Jabal Moya or that he is feeling the pressure of international sanctions, which have extended to his family members and may eventually target him. Another possibility is that regional actors are inciting Hemedti with a vested interest in embroiling Egypt in the conflict—Ethiopia, for instance, may be involved, given its concerns over Egypt’s increasing regional presence and activities, and may want to distract Egypt with another issue.
Accusation Against Egypt
The UAE is also suspected of playing a role in provoking Hemedti despite its good relations with Egypt. Several regional, international, and local entities have documented the UAE’s support for the RSF, and it may be trying to deflect attention from itself to avoid further international condemnation. It is also possible that both scenarios are at play, leading to Hemedti’s attack on Egypt. However, it would not be surprising if he later apologises, as he has a history of backtracking on positions for which he has previously burned bridges—such as his withdrawal from the framework agreement that led to the war, a fact he admitted in his most recent speech.
Anger and Concern
The Egyptian public reacted with anger to these accusations. Many Egyptians from various political backgrounds were outraged that a militia could challenge Egypt and its army in such a manner. Questions arose about whether the Egyptian government would respond to these provocations or be drawn into a reaction. In response, Egyptian sources informed Sudanhorizon that Egypt does not react impulsively and will not respond to mere statements on social media. The sources added, “If actions follow these words, then Egypt will respond accordingly.”
Hostile Entities
Khaled Mohamed Ali, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Al-Osbou newspaper, blamed political figures and factions aligned with the RSF for spearheading the campaign against Egypt, suggesting that these groups are hostile to Egypt. Ali told Sudanhorizon that these groups exploited Hemedti’s recent defeats and began spreading their toxic rhetoric to drive a wedge between Egypt and Sudan. He emphasised that Egypt has always supported Sudan’s unity and refrained from intervening in its internal affairs, which has angered certain factions. Ali believes that these groups will continue their incitement because external actors support them. He noted that these factions, now rejected by the Sudanese people, are willing to sacrifice anything as they have already lost everything.
Isolating Sudan
Ali also noted that the anti-Egypt sentiment in the campaign has become extreme and will not cease as long as the Sudanese army continues to win. He urged the Egyptian government to maintain its national role in preserving Sudan, no matter the circumstances, referencing President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s recent visit to Asmara, where he emphasised that his visit was proactive in preventing any regional division. Ali also called on Egyptian media to expose the entities behind this campaign, asserting that Egypt stands by the will of the Sudanese people and evaluates its decisions accordingly, regardless of the campaign’s internal or external supporters. He concluded that these groups are also hostile to Sudan, and their goal is to isolate Sudan from its supportive regional partners.
Unusual Boldness
Security and military expert Amin Ismail Majzoub described the RSF’s audacity in attacking Egypt as strange. Majzoub told Sudanhorizon that he believes this boldness is due to the significant defeats the militia has suffered in the capital, various battlefronts, and the strategic Jabal Moya area. He suggested that Hemedti was trying to deflect blame away from the Sudanese Armed Forces by accusing the Egyptian army of using aircraft to strike his militia. Majzoub also noted that the forces behind the RSF wanted to divert Egypt’s attention from the Sudanese file. He highlighted Egypt’s role as the current chair of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council and its diplomatic efforts, culminating in a visit to Port Sudan. Majzoub argued that the forces backing the RSF had hoped to involve Egypt in the conflict, but their plans have backfired. He affirmed that everyone recognizes Egypt as a powerful and influential regional state and that if Egypt were to intervene militarily in Sudan, the war would end quickly.
No Response
Majzoub believed that Egypt would not respond to the RSF’s provocations as they did not merit a response. He viewed this as an attempt by the RSF to use media to claim that Egypt has intervened in the Sudanese conflict, adding that Egypt’s foreign ministry’s response was sufficient. He also praised Egyptian media for addressing these false claims. Majzoub pointed out that Egypt’s official stance of supporting Sudanese national institutions is well-known and consistent. He stressed that Egypt will not engage with militias, no matter how long the conflict lasts, reaffirming Egypt’s principled position on Arab crises and its refusal to interact with illegitimate actors.
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