Sudan FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Are Keen on Improving Ties with Neighboring Countries

Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ali Youssef.
Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ali Youssef.
TT
20

Sudan FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Are Keen on Improving Ties with Neighboring Countries

Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ali Youssef.
Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ali Youssef.

Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ali Youssef stressed his country’s keenness on improving and developing relations with neighboring countries.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said improving ties was “very important” and revealing that the future will witness intense diplomatic efforts to address disputes with neighbors in order to return relations back to normal.

“We are looking for allied countries that would stand by Sudan in confronting the problems and circumstances it is currently enduring,” he added.

Reconstructing the country will be among the challenges Sudan will face in the future, he went on to say. “Parties from the east and west must be part of this process, so it wouldn’t be wise for anyone to side with one alliance or camp,” he said.

“In my estimation, Sudan must not side with any alliance. This issue needs a position from the state before going ahead,” Youssef explained.

“I hope that no country is supporting the rebellion or supplying it with weapons. We hope countries will stand by Sudan and its people,” he urged.

The April 2023 war revealed that some countries have stood by Sudan and others stood against it, the FM added.

Moreover, he stressed that his ministry will focus its work on several paths to achieve peace and stability and draft a balanced foreign policy.

Meanwhile, the state news agency SUNA reported that US special envoy to Sudan Tom Perriello will visit the country on Monday.

He was set to arrive on Sunday, but technical arrangements forced its delay to Monday.

He is expected to visit Port Sudan, his first to the interim capital, where he will meet with several officials from the ruling sovereign council, Darfur region governor Minni Minnawi, FM Youssef and representatives of political and civilian forces.

Youssef had stressed last week Sudan’s keenness on maintaining dialogue with the new American administration to reach more understandings over Sudan.



Hemedti Admits Forces Withdrew from Sudan Capital

A picture shows burnt vehicles in a southern neighbourhood of Khartoum on March 29, 2025, after the military recaptured the capital. (Photo by AFP)
A picture shows burnt vehicles in a southern neighbourhood of Khartoum on March 29, 2025, after the military recaptured the capital. (Photo by AFP)
TT
20

Hemedti Admits Forces Withdrew from Sudan Capital

A picture shows burnt vehicles in a southern neighbourhood of Khartoum on March 29, 2025, after the military recaptured the capital. (Photo by AFP)
A picture shows burnt vehicles in a southern neighbourhood of Khartoum on March 29, 2025, after the military recaptured the capital. (Photo by AFP)

The head of the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces admitted in a speech to fighters on Sunday that the group had withdrawn from the capital but pledged the RSF would return stronger to Khartoum.

"I confirm to you that we have indeed left Khartoum, but... we will return with even stronger determination," Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo said in the speech, three days after the group said there would be "no retreat.”

It was Dagalo's first comment since the RSF were pushed back from most parts of Khartoum by the Sudanese army during a devastating war that has lasted two years.

Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, conceded in an audio message on Telegram that his forces left the capital last week as the army consolidated its gains.

Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan ruled out any reconciliation with the RSF in a video statement on Saturday in which he vowed to crush the group.

"We will neither forgive, nor compromise, nor negotiate," he said, reaffirming the military's commitment to restoring national unity and stability.

Earlier on Saturday, the army said it had taken control of a major market in Khartoum's twin city of Omdurman, which had previously been used by the RSF to launch attacks during a devastating two-year-old war.

Burhan also said fighters who "repent to the truth" could still be amnestied if they lay down their arms, particularly those who are in rebel-held areas.