New page in Egyptian-Sudanese relations
Egypt-Sudan, Analysis, 11/6/1997

The recent visit of the first Deputy of the Sudanese President, Colonel Al Zobeir Mohammed Saleh, to Cairo came to open doors for the normal Egyptian-Sudanese relations. This visit came to stop the deterioration in the relations between the two countries which had been aggravated since the failed attempt to assassinate President Hosni Mubarak in Addis Ababa, which the Sudanese government was accused of masterminding.

In spite of the fact that holding meetings between the officials of the two countries cannot be considered a surprise to anybody--however tense the relations and differences are--the recent meeting came to remind everybody of the special historical relations between the two countries which could be restored at any time.

President Mubarak's political advisor, Dr. Osama Al Baz, expressed his hope that the meeting will strengthen the two countries' relations as Egypt considers its relations with Sudan very special.

Meanwhile the Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa stated that it is very natural to find Sudan and Egypt trying to remove all differences because of the historical basis for relations between the two countries.

On the other hand, Sudanese Foreign Minister Dr. Moustafa Osman stressed the Sudanese expression describing the Egyptian-Sudanese relations, which is "the everlasting relations" that will solve all problems through negotiations.

During Al Zobeir's discussions with Mubarak, the Sudanese official suggested a number of ideas to settle the difference between the two countries. First, the two countries should open channels of negotiation. Second, holding regular meetings at short intervals between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries to follow up what was done. Third, the two countries should agree on a common strategic policy to confront the foreign conspiracies against Sudan and Egypt, especially after the Sudanese leadership informed Cairo that there is an American plan to win Sudan over into a US-Israeli alliance which would also include some countries from the African Horn and the Great Lakes region.

The Sudanese official described the American plan as a great danger targeting Cairo in order to get it surrounded from the south through setting up water projects on the River Nile and to create military confrontation with Egypt.

It is certain that such words affected the political circles in Egypt especially after Egypt extended the River Nile water to Sinai and after the decisive statements of President Mubarak that the River Nile water will never be extended to Israel.

It seems that Cairo did not oppose the recent visit after it felt that there are some dangers against Sudan that aim to separate the Sudanese south from its north. This might not be the only reason behind Cairo's acceptance of this visit as it found that turning a new page in the relations with Sudan is very important both to Egypt and Sudan amidst the numerous dangers surrounding the River Nile sources.

Previous Stories:
  Sudanese official visits Cairo   (10/31/1997)
  Opposition parties laud Mubarak's rejection to extend water to Israel   (10/30/1997)
  Khartoum might seek Arab League intervention in differences with Egypt   (10/13/1997)

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