Sudanese defense min. highlights importance of relations with Egypt

CAIRO - 19 September 2018: The Sudanese Defense Minister Lieutenant-General Awad Ibn Auf on Wednesday emphasized the need to work for promoting bilateral ties between Egypt and Sudan.

This came during the minister's meeting today with Egypt's Ambassador to Khartoum Osama Shaltout who has concluded his tenure in Sudan.

During the meeting, Auf called for economic and political integration and ensuring the national security of the two brotherly states.

Shaltout voiced his deep appreciation to the Sudanese government and people for their cooperation during his five-year tenure in Sudan.

Ibn Auf visited Cairo in August 2017, where he discussed with President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi and the former Minister of Defense Military Production Sedki Sobhi ways to boost bilateral relations, especially in the military domain.

The media attache in the Sudanese embassy in Egypt, Rashed Abdul Rahim, said earlier in September that presidents, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi and Omar al-Bashir are eager to expand the cooperation between Egypt and Sudan.

Abdul Rahim said in a phone call with “Ra’ai Aam” (Public Opinion) TV show, broadcasted by Ten Satellite channel, that both presidents set a time schedule for more than 20 joint projects to enhance the strategic relations between both States and exchange interests.

President Sisi and Sudanese counterpart discussed in the Chinese capital of Beijing the bilateral ties, particularly the preparation of the Higher Joint Committee between Egypt and Sudan due to convene in the near future

Last month, Sisi paid his first visit to the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, where he met with his Sudanese counterpart Omar al-Bashir.

The two presidents discussed several issues regarding boosting bilateral relations between the two countries and cooperation on all levels. Moreover, Bashir visited Cairo on March 19 where both leaders discussed the outstanding issues of mutual interest, based on the agreement reached at the recent Addis Ababa tripartite summit.

Many politicians asserted that the two parties agreed to lower the intensity of disputes in the coming period. They asserted that the relations between the two countries are on the right track.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Sudanese counterpart Mohamed Ahmed held a meeting on August 29 to discuss mutual security interests. The meeting was followed with a press conference, during which they stressed the importance of coordination between Egypt and Sudan to maintain the security of both countries.

Shoukry said that the discussion tackled achieving the common interests of Egypt and Sudan and stressed the importance of the partnership between the two countries.