CAIRO, Egypt – Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed became the first foreign leader to visit Sudan’s army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, in the war-torn city of Port Sudan on Tuesday. This visit marks a critical attempt to broker peace after nearly 15 months of bloody conflict between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The brutal conflict has displaced nearly 10 million people, pushed parts of the country towards famine, and cast a shadow of instability over the entire region. While the RSF holds most of the capital, Khartoum, and the central and western regions, the army controls the east and north, including Port Sudan, its newly established base.
Previous attempts at peace talks, hosted by Saudi Arabia and the United States in Jeddah, stalled in 2023. Bringing the warring factions back to the negotiating table has proven exceptionally difficult.
However, images from both sides depict a potentially hopeful sign. Photos show Burhan and Abiy laughing and walking hand-in-hand after the Ethiopian leader’s arrival. Abiy’s office released a statement calling the visit a crucial step towards finding “sustainable solutions for Sudan’s stability.”
A source close to the negotiations believes that Abiy’s presence on Sudanese soil may be the key to achieving a breakthrough. “The very existence of Sudan hangs in the balance,” the source stated. “The international community may have turned away, but Prime Minister Abiy has shown his commitment to helping Sudan find peace.”
