Hopes rise on Sudan as Egypt pushes

Egypt’s plans to host a conference in coming weeks that will bring together rival Sudanese political forces has raised hopes of restoring peace in the conflict-racked country, according to analysts.

The government of Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan has already welcomed the Egyptian initiative, according to Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Masad Faiez, an Egyptian political analyst, said the Sudanese statement tried to set “some conditions” for the participation of the state’s representative.

“I think these are tough conditions,” he told Arab News. “But from what I know, Egypt is currently trying to unify all parties to ensure lasting and ongoing peace.”

Faiez said Egypt “believes that the conflict is a Sudanese issue and is inviting all active national factions to participate in a future political process.”

Cairo will exert all possible efforts to help Sudan overcome the crisis it faces, and end the conflict’s damaging effects on the Sudanese people, and the security and stability of the region, he said.

According to the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the conference will seek to reach a consensus on building comprehensive and lasting peace in Sudan.

Regional and international partners will attend the forum, which will rely on “a national dialogue based on a purely Sudanese vision,” the ministry said.

The Sudanese statement specifically opposed the participation of three parties referred to as “patrons” of the Rapid Support Forces.

Sudan also claimed that regional and international organizations had remained silent about the “crimes of the Rapid Support Forces,” and insisted on the African Union’s non-participation unless steps were taken to lift the suspension of Sudan’s activities in the organization.

Akmal Ziyada, a political expert on African affairs, said the Sudanese regime will likely ease its demands in order to achieve peace and unity.

Egypt looks forward to “active participation from all Sudanese civil political forces, and concerned regional and international partners, working together to ensure the conference’s success in achieving the aspirations of the brotherly Sudanese people,” he said.

The Sudanese Unionist Democratic Party, led by Mohammed Osman Al-Mirghani, also welcomed the Egyptian initiative.

Hatem Al-Sir, a political adviser to Al-Mirghani, said the importance of the Egyptian initiative stems from the historical and fraternal ties between the two peoples, and a “firm belief that the solution to the Sudanese crisis must be purely Sudanese,” and include all national factions.

Hassan Al-Mir, a member of the Egyptian parliament, told Arab News that Egypt has a vision for “resolving the crisis in Sudan, primarily because the stability of this country and the African region is one of the mainstays of Egypt’s national security.”

Cairo had led many efforts to contain the Sudan crisis, he said.

Egypt “respects the will of the Sudanese people, opposes foreign interventions in Sudan’s crisis, emphasizes the protection of institutions, and coordinates with neighboring countries to lessen the humanitarian impact,” Al-Mir said.