A joint statement after Egyptian–Sudanese ministerial talks in Cairo rejects any 'parallel entities' in Sudan and criticises Ethiopia over the Nile dam. A day later, the Arab League secretary-general appointed a personal envoy to push for a Sudanese-led national dialogue.
Egypt is ready to take "all necessary measures" permitted by international law and the joint defence agreement between the two countries to support Sudan, according to a joint statement issued after the third round of the Egyptian–Sudanese "2+2" consultations in Cairo on Monday 2 November. The meeting brought together Egypt's foreign minister, Badr Abdelatty, and irrigation minister, Hani Sewilam, with the army-aligned government's foreign minister, Mohieldin Salem, and agriculture and irrigation minister, Ismat Qurashi. The full Arabic text was published by Dar al-Hilal; Sudan Tribune reported it in English. Quotations here are CERHA's translation.
The statement repeated the Egyptian presidency's position that Egypt's and Sudan's national security are directly linked. It set out a "categorical rejection" of the creation of, or recognition of, any "parallel entities" in Sudan. That wording reads as a reference to the Tasis-led Government of Peace and Unity, which governs much of Darfur and parts of Kordofan. CERHA found no Tasis response in the reports it reviewed.
The Nile and the Red Sea
Both governments described the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, operated unilaterally by Ethiopia, as a "continuing threat" to the two downstream states. They called on Addis Ababa to return to the principles of no harm, prior notification, consultation and consensus. They also said the dispute concerns only Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia, and rejected efforts to draw in other Nile Basin states. On maritime security, the statement said governance of the Red Sea is the exclusive responsibility of the states on its shores, and it rejected naval access for any non-littoral state. The two sides also condemned drone attacks on Sudan's power and water facilities "launched from one of the neighbouring states", without naming Ethiopia, which denies any role.
Arab League envoy
On Tuesday 3 November, Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy appointed Zaid al-Sabban, who has headed the League's Sudan and Horn of Africa department since 2017, as his personal envoy for Sudanese affairs, Xinhua reported, citing a League statement. The envoy is to intensify contacts with Sudanese parties, help bridge differences and create conditions for an inclusive, Sudanese-led national dialogue. The appointment followed Fahmy's visit to Sudan in late October. Separately on Tuesday, Fahmy met Salem in Cairo and condemned repeated RSF drone attacks on civilian facilities and infrastructure, according to Xinhua.
The moves come as the UN envoy, Pekka Haavisto, says he expects to meet the Tasis bloc before Christmas, and as Switzerland prepares talks between Sudanese civilian groups.
Image: Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in 2025. U.S. Department of State, via Wikimedia Commons, public domain.