During Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s visit to Sudan, he met with Sudanese Army Commander, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, on Tuesday. The leaders discussed the ongoing war in Sudan and explored ways to achieve peace.
General Burhan praised Abiy Ahmed’s visit, expressing his gratitude via his X platform account, “Thank you, Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, for your visit and solidarity with the government and people of Sudan.”
In turn, Abiy described his visit as part of an effort to stabilize Sudan nearly 15 months after the conflict began. Photos shared by both sides show Burhan and Abiy laughing and walking side by side upon the Ethiopian leader’s arrival. Abiy’s office described the visit on the social media platform X as part of efforts to find “sustainable solutions for the stability of Sudan.”
A knowledgeable source stated that Abiy has a better chance of achieving a breakthrough by being physically present.
Abiy Ahmed is the first leader to visit Burhan in Port Sudan since the conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces began in April 2023. While the Rapid Support Forces control most of the capital Khartoum and central and western parts of the country, the army holds sway over states in the east and north, including Port Sudan, which has been made a base.
The visit follows an attack by the Rapid Support Forces on Sennar State in southeastern Sudan last month, which brought the war closer to Sudan’s borders with Ethiopia.
Last year, peace talks hosted by Saudi Arabia and the United States in Jeddah aimed at mediating a ceasefire stalled, and attempts to bring the army back to the negotiating table have so far failed.
The war in Sudan has forced about 10 million people to leave their homes, created famine-like conditions in parts of the country, and threatened to destabilize the region.
