Sudanese Consultations in Cairo Focus on ‘Shortcomings’ of 2 Agreements

Sudanese military and civilian groups hold up signed documents of a framework agreement to end the political stalemate in Sudan (File photo: EPA)
Sudanese military and civilian groups hold up signed documents of a framework agreement to end the political stalemate in Sudan (File photo: EPA)
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Sudanese Consultations in Cairo Focus on ‘Shortcomings’ of 2 Agreements

Sudanese military and civilian groups hold up signed documents of a framework agreement to end the political stalemate in Sudan (File photo: EPA)
Sudanese military and civilian groups hold up signed documents of a framework agreement to end the political stalemate in Sudan (File photo: EPA)

Sudanese political and civil forces continued their consultations in Cairo within the framework of the workshop on the "Prospects of Democratic Transformation towards a Sudan for All," with the participation of dozens of Sudanese figures.

Informed Egyptian sources revealed that the consultations resulted in several agreements between the parties on essential items not covered by the Juba Agreement or the framework agreement signed last December to end the stalemate.

The sources explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that the main issues that require an in-depth discussion include the peace agreement, transitional justice, security and military reform, resolving the eastern Sudan crisis, and dismantling the regime of former President Omar al-Bashir.

They warned that postponing reaching an agreement on these issues is not an option for solving the country's problems.

According to the preannounced schedule, the Cairo consultations will conclude on Tuesday, and the Sudanese forces will present their final vision in a comprehensive declaration on Wednesday.

However, the sources made it clear that the Sudanese forces are the only ones entitled to announce what they deem suitable to their agreement within a flexible timeframe.

The Juba Peace Agreement, signed more than two years ago, was expected to end the decades-long armed conflict in the country, but nothing has been achieved amid calls for its amendment or cancellation.

Many Sudanese forces refused to sign the framework agreement last December between the civil and military components, stressing that the agreement in its current form cannot lead to a national accord.

The forces warned that any government formed according to the agreement would not last, while the accord signatories considered it an essential step in the democratic transition in Sudan.

Informed Egyptian sources indicated that the Sudanese consultations witnessed a broad consensus on the need for amending the framework agreement, noting that the parties are still discussing going into the details of those amendments.

The sources expected the parties to settle many outstanding issues soon.



Activist Aid Ship Nears Gaza After Reaching Egypt Coast

 Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP)
Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP)
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Activist Aid Ship Nears Gaza After Reaching Egypt Coast

 Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP)
Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP)

An aid ship with 12 activists on board, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, has reached the Egyptian coast and is nearing the besieged Palestinian territory, organizers said on Saturday.

The Madleen, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, left Sicily last week with a cargo of relief supplies "to break Israel's blockade on Gaza".

"We are now sailing off the Egyptian coast," German human rights activist Yasemin Acar told AFP. "We are all good," she added.

In a statement from London on Saturday, the International Committee for Breaking the Siege of Gaza -- a member organization of the flotilla coalition -- said the ship had entered Egyptian waters.

The group said it remains in contact with international legal and human rights bodies to ensure the safety of those on board, warning that any interception would constitute "a blatant violation of international humanitarian law".

European parliament member Rima Hassan, who is on board the vessel, urged governments to "guarantee safe passage for the Freedom Flotilla."

The Palestinian territory was under Israeli naval blockade even before the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas that sparked the Gaza war and Israel has enforced its blockade with military action in the past.

A 2010 commando raid on the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara, which was part of a similar aid flotilla trying to breach the blockade, left 10 civilians dead.

In May, another Freedom Flotilla ship, the Conscience, reported coming under drone attack while en route for Gaza, prompting Cyprus and Malta to send rescue vessels in response to its distress call. There were no reports of any casualties.

Earlier in its voyage, the Madleen changed course near the Greek island of Crete after receiving a distress signal from a sinking migrant boat.

Activists rescued four Sudanese migrants who had jumped into the sea to avoid being returned to Libya. The four were later transferred to an EU Frontex vessel.

Launched in 2010, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition is a coalition of groups opposed to the blockade on humanitarian aid for Gaza that Israel imposed on March 2 and has only partially eased since.

Israel has faced mounting international condemnation over the resulting humanitarian crisis in the territory, where the United Nations has warned the entire population of more than two million is at risk of famine.