Egypt Denies Involvement in Sudan’s Ongoing Conflict, Rebel Leader Claims Contrary
A new twist has emerged in the ongoing conflict in Sudan, as Cairo has issued a statement denying any involvement in the war, while the head of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has accused Egyptian war planes and drones of bombarding his group’s positions.
In a statement, the Egyptian foreign affairs ministry claimed that Cairo’s sole focus was on ending the war and protecting civilians, amid “intensive Egyptian moves to stop the war, protect civilians, and strengthen the international response to humanitarian relief plans.”
However, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, who leads the RSF, has contradicted this claim. In a video message on Wednesday, he alleged that Egyptian Sukhoi 29 fighter jets had bombarded RSF positions in the Jabal Moya mountain range for hours on October 5, allowing the Sudanese army to retake the area.
This is not the first time Hemedti has accused Cairo of being involved in the war. He has previously claimed that Egypt was supporting the Sudanese army, with some even suggesting that Egypt is seeking to expand its influence in the region.
The conflict in Sudan, now in its second year, has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people and forced over 10 million out of their homes. Both sides have been accused of committing atrocities, and the situation remains dire.
Sudan’s army ruler, Abdel Fattah al Burhan, has demanded that all rebels disarm before talks can begin, which has raised concerns about the prospects for a peaceful resolution.
As the situation remains volatile, international observers are calling for an end to the violence and a negotiated solution to the conflict.