Egypt-Sudan PMs Kick off Bilateral Summit

Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli has shortly kicked off a bilateral meeting in Cairo with his Sudan counterpart Abdalla Hamdok to discuss ways of fostering joint cooperation between the two brotherly countries.

During the meeting, Madbouli said that Egypt is ready to provide all possible support during the coming period.

It is noteworthy that Hamdok left for Cairo Wednesday on his first visit to an Arab country since assuming his post.

He is leading a delegation of ministers and senior officials. He also is set to hold talks with Egyptian officials on ways of boosting bilateral relations and the latest developments in Sudan in light of challenges besetting the transitional government.

Last month, Madbouli participated in a ceremony of a landmark power-sharing agreement between the main Sudanese opposition coalition and the military council. He also took part in the signing ceremony on behalf of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, the current chair of the African Union.

The PM said Egypt is keen on supporting Sudan’s vision of the future of its nation, and said support would be provided in confidence in Sudan’s capabilities in resolving all conflicts and overcoming all challenges.

He also hailed the role of the African Union and other parties in aiding stability in Khartoum.

"Sudan's security is part of Egypt's national security and the circumstances Sudan undergoes affect Egypt, especially in light of the changes in the region," Madbouli added.

It is noteworthy the two countries have enjoyed long-standing complex historical ties, centred on historical overlaps in antiquity when Nubian kingdoms (Nobatia, Makuria and Alodia) in Sudan controlled Egypt, and Egyptian dynasties invaded Sudan, as well as cultural ties and Egypt's quest for controlling the Nile's waters.

Prior to Sudanese independence in 1956, Sudan was incorporated into Egypt in 1821 through the Muhammad Ali dynasty invasion and occupation of Sudan followed by the Mahdist Sudan national revolution in 1885 and the subsequent reconquest of Sudan under British rule in 1899.