In Latest News from Africa and the Middle East, Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan arrived in Cairo on Thursday for important talks with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The visit comes at a critical time as international pressure increases to pause Sudan’s long and deadly civil war.
Egyptian officials confirmed that stopping the fighting in Sudan is the main focus of the discussions. The meeting is being closely watched and is now part of global Breaking News, as many hope it could help bring relief to millions of people affected by the conflict.
Ceasefire Tops the Agenda
A short statement from the Egyptian presidency said that the talks would focus on ways to end the Sudan crisis and strengthen ties between the two neighbouring countries. This suggests that Egypt wants to play a stronger role in helping Sudan move toward peace.
Diplomatic sources say Egypt is worried that the war next door could destabilize the entire region. Refugee flows, economic disruption, and security threats are all major concerns for Cairo.
For Sudan, a ceasefire could open the door for humanitarian aid and help stop further destruction of cities and infrastructure.
Long History Between Egypt and Sudan
Egypt and Sudan share a very deep and long history. The two countries are connected by the Nile River and have had close relations since ancient times. From the 19th century until 1956, Sudan and Egypt were united under joint rule before Sudan gained independence.
Over the years, Egypt has often preferred dealing with military-led governments in Khartoum. Egyptian leaders have sometimes found it difficult to work with elected civilian governments in Sudan, which wanted more independence from Cairo’s influence.
This history explains why Gen Al Burhan’s visit to Egypt is seen as very important in Daily news highlights.
Recent Regional Diplomacy Efforts
Before arriving in Cairo, Gen Al Burhan held talks earlier this week in Riyadh with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to Saudi officials, the discussions focused on the latest developments in Sudan and efforts to restore stability.
Hope for progress increased in November when U.S. President Donald Trump said he was willing to help end Sudan’s war. This came after Crown Prince Mohammed raised the issue during a visit to Washington.
On Wednesday, the United States and Saudi Arabia also agreed on “practical steps” to push for a humanitarian truce. While details were not shared, the announcement raised expectations that a pause in fighting could be possible.
Al Burhan’s Changing Stance on Peace
Gen Al Burhan’s position on peace talks has changed over time. At first, he strongly rejected proposals from the U.S., Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. He said he would keep fighting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, until they were fully defeated.
Later, he softened his tone slightly and showed some openness to talks, though he still insisted that military action would continue. This mixed approach has caused frustration among international mediators.
However, pressure on Al Burhan has grown sharply in recent months due to battlefield losses.
Major Setbacks for the Sudanese Army
Since October, Sudan’s army has suffered serious defeats. It lost its last positions in the western Darfur region to the RSF. Soon after, it also lost control of the city of Babanusa in neighbouring Kordofan.
These losses have shifted the balance of power. The RSF now controls all of Darfur, a region about the size of France, and large parts of Kordofan. In these areas, the RSF is working with powerful rebel groups, making the conflict even more complex.
The army still controls the capital Khartoum and much of eastern, northern, and central Sudan. But the distance between the two forces has not stopped the fighting.
Drone Attacks Escalate the Conflict
Both sides are now using drones to strike targets hundreds of kilometres away. On Thursday, drones believed to belong to the RSF hit power facilities in northern Sudan.
The attacks caused major electricity outages in Khartoum and the Red Sea city of Port Sudan. Sudan’s Electricity Company said the Al Mogran-Atbara power plant was damaged. Local media reported that two civil defence workers were killed in the strike.
Earlier drone attacks have also hit fuel storage tanks, Port Sudan airport, and other power plants. These strikes have increased fear among civilians and added to the humanitarian crisis.
