Sudan’s de facto leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who has led the army in a prolonged conflict against paramilitaries, hosted Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday.
Ahmed’s visit to Port Sudan, the current seat of the army-aligned government, marks the highest-level state visit since the war began between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023.
Sudan’s ruling Transitional Sovereignty Council emphasized that the visit “testifies to the depth of relations” between Sudan and Ethiopia. During a closed-door meeting, Burhan briefed Ahmed on the “crimes and atrocities” committed by the RSF, describing the group as a “terrorist militia” rebelling against the state and its institutions.
According to Ahmed’s office, the meeting aligns with his “commitment to finding sustainable solutions for Sudan’s stability.” The visit coincides with the African Union’s efforts, headquartered in Addis Ababa, to restart truce talks between Burhan and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.
Burhan’s camp has generally dismissed East African mediation attempts, accusing regional leaders of siding with “the terrorist militia.” The meeting occurred just two days after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi hosted Sudanese civilian and political leaders for talks on ending the war.
Mediation efforts by the United States and Saudi Arabia have repeatedly failed as the rival generals continue to seek tactical advantages. The international community remains concerned about the ongoing conflict and its implications for regional stability.
