Egypt and Sudan have pledged to enhance cooperation on Sudan's reconstruction and regional security, following a meeting of the Political Consultation Mechanism in Cairo on February 23, 2025. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Al-Sadiq Ali co-chaired the Sunday meeting, held at the invitation of the Egyptian government. Both sides conducted a comprehensive review of avenues to strengthen cooperation across all sectors, emphasising enhanced coordination within international forums to advance shared interests. Participants expressed satisfaction with the inaugural Egyptian-Sudanese Business Forum held in Cairo in November 2024. The ministers stressed meticulous planning for the forum's second session, aiming to bolster Egyptian involvement in Sudan's reconstruction and promote increased trade and joint investments. The delegations reaffirmed their commitment to jointly reinforce and revitalise the strategic partnership between key sectors in both countries. They also committed to reviewing and updating existing agreements, memoranda of understanding, protocols, and executive programs to modernise the bilateral strategic partnership agreement and ensure its effective implementation through concrete action plans. Discussions extended to the evolving situation in Sudan. Both parties emphasised the importance of preserving Sudan's unity, territorial integrity, and independence, while respecting its sovereignty and national institutions, including the armed forces. They reiterated the need to avoid interference in Sudan's internal affairs, under any pretext, and rejected any actions that could undermine Sudanese sovereignty. Ending the ongoing conflict in Sudan is paramount, the ministers agreed, adding that resolving the crisis is the exclusive right of the Sudanese people, free from external imposition. Ali conveyed profound gratitude for Egypt's support for Sudan, including its hosting of Sudanese citizens displaced by the conflict and the provision of necessary assistance. Abdelatty commended the Sudanese government's efforts in protecting civilians and its active engagement within the United Nations framework. The Egyptian side acknowledged the Sudanese government's measures to facilitate humanitarian aid access, including establishing humanitarian warehouses, streamlining flight operations for aid delivery, and opening border crossings. Egypt reiterated its commitment to joint efforts and its support for Sudanese state institutions in this endeavor, in coordination with the United Nations, its specialized agencies, and international partners. Egypt reaffirmed its readiness to contribute to Sudan's reconstruction, welcoming the Sudanese government's efforts to mobilise regional and international support for the rehabilitation of Sudanese state sectors. Both parties lauded the formation of a joint team to analyse international reconstruction experiences and enhance the prospects of achieving the desired objectives. Both sides expressed their aspiration to work together to implement the resolution of the 37th session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Transport. Both Egypt and Sudan welcomed collaborative initiatives to accelerate electrical and railway interconnection projects between the two nations. Ali expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development Affairs, Minister of Transport and Industry, in rehabilitating the Wadi Halfa port. This initiative is expected to strengthen Sudan's river transport system, enhance its connectivity with Egypt, and facilitate trade and the movement of people. The two sides agreed to strengthen joint action to protect the full water rights of both countries, in accordance with the agreements concluded between them and the applicable rules of international law. They emphasised that Egyptian and Sudanese water security are inextricably linked and called for all parties to refrain from any unilateral actions that would harm their water interests. They also affirmed their continued joint endeavour to work with the Nile Basin Initiative countries to restore consensus and return the Nile Basin Initiative to the consensual foundations on which it was based. The initiative represents a pillar of water cooperation that benefits all member states. Concerning Red Sea security, both sides underscored the importance of enhanced joint coordination, emphasising the need to adhere to regional security principles and coordinate with Red Sea and Gulf of Aden littoral states, while rejecting any threats to freedom of navigation in this vital maritime corridor. Discussions also addressed the broader situation in the Arab region. Both parties unequivocally rejected the forced displacement of Palestinians and emphasised the need to protect Palestinian rights and prevent the resolution of the Palestinian issue at their expense. The Sudanese side expressed its gratitude for Egypt's efforts in this regard. The delegations addressed the situations in Syria and Lebanon, agreeing on the need for a comprehensive political process involving all segments of Syrian society, within a framework that upholds Syria's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The participants welcomed the election of Joseph Aoun as President of Lebanon and the formation of the new Lebanese government, expressing support for Lebanon's stability and territorial integrity. Both parties affirmed the importance of convening joint committees in the near future, with relevant authorities in both countries to determine the appropriate timing. According to a joint statement, the meeting was characterised by a positive spirit, mutual understanding, and a shared commitment to harnessing the substantial opportunities arising from the strong historical ties between the two nations.
