Egypt stresses ‘red lines’ on Sudan, reaffirms backing for Sovereignty Council

CAIRO – 26 February 2026: Egypt on Thursday reaffirmed its “red lines” set by the Presidency regarding the situation in Sudan during talks in Cairo between Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Sudan’s transitional Prime Minister Kamil Idris.

Madbouly emphasized Egypt’s firm backing for Sudan’s unity, territorial integrity and national institutions.

He stressed Egypt’s continued support for the legitimate state bodies, including the Transitional Sovereignty Council headed by Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, the government led by Idris, and the Sudanese Armed Forces.

 

Cairo described these institutions as a cornerstone for preserving the Sudanese state and its unity, safeguarding the country’s resources and restoring security and stability.

Both sides highlighted the importance of enabling Sudan’s state institutions to fully perform their roles and supporting government efforts to reassert state authority, restore normal life and alleviate the humanitarian suffering caused by the ongoing war.

For his part, Idris expressed appreciation for Egypt’s support to Sudan at various levels, describing it as a reflection of the longstanding Nile Valley ties between the two nations.

‘Red Lines’ on Sudan

The Egyptian Presidency has identified a set of “red lines that cannot be crossed or compromised” regarding the ongoing war in Sudan after a meeting between El-Sisi and Al-Burhan in Cairo late last year.

Egypt warns of ‘decisive’ response if its ‘red lines’ on Sudan crossed, read here.

The President said these red lines “directly affect Egypt’s national security, which is directly linked to Sudan’s national security.”

The Presidency said that “preserving Sudan’s unity and territorial integrity, and not undermining with its resources and those of the Sudanese people, is among the most important of these red lines.”

This includes “rejecting the secession of any part of Sudan’s territory,” the Presidency emphasized.

Egypt reiterated its “categorical rejection of the creation of, or recognition of, any parallel entities,” stressing that such moves “would undermine Sudan’s unity and territorial integrity.”

“Preserving Sudanese state institutions and preventing any harm to them,” the Presidency affirmed, “constitute another red line for Egypt.”

Egypt said it reserves “its full right to take all necessary measures guaranteed by international law and the joint defence agreement between the two countries to ensure these red lines are neither infringed nor crossed.”

The war in Sudan, ongoing since 2023, has killed scores of civilians and plunged the African country into what the UN described as one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.

Egypt has engaged in international efforts aiming to resolve the crisis, including a Quad mechanism with the United States, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The Quad countries are working to secure a humanitarian truce, followed by a permanent ceasefire and a nine-month transition to a civilian-led government.