General Burhan’s Whirlwind Diplomatic Tour: From Egypt to Eritrea, What’s Behind His Rapid Regional Visits?

In a whirlwind of diplomatic activity, General Burhan, the de facto leader of Sudan, has embarked on his fourth foreign trip in just two weeks. The journey to Asmara, Eritrea, follows visits to Egypt, South Sudan, and Qatar. Analysts believe this relentless diplomatic engagement aims to enhance Burhan’s credentials as he prepares for pivotal peace negotiations to bring an end to Sudan’s harrowing conflict.

Eritrea’s Minister of Information, Yemane Meskel, announced the General’s arrival in Asmara via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), signalling a new era of digital diplomacy. The photo accompanying the announcement showed Burhan seated beside Afwerki, Eritrea’s enigmatic leader.

The official statement from Burhan’s office mentioned the agenda for the meeting, focusing on “the future of bilateral relations and strengthening them.” This development holds significant importance, given Eritrea’s unique position as one of the few neighbouring countries that has not opened its doors to over a million refugees escaping the Sudanese conflict due to a sealed border since 2019.

Eritrea, often dubbed one of the world’s most isolated states, has long been an enigma in regional geopolitics. However, the recent reopening of Sudan’s border posts in Kassala, a state bordering Eritrea, signifies not only a potential thaw in relations but also an effort to bolster security along this historically porous boundary.

Afwerki’s condemnation of “a war launched for no reason” in Sudan during a July meeting in Cairo with Sudan’s neighbouring heads of state underscores the urgency of peace in the region. The conflict, which commenced on April 15, pits the army against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. Tragically, it has claimed nearly 7,500 lives, according to estimates from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project.

One of the most devastating incidents in the conflict involved air strikes that killed at least 46 people and injured many more at a market in southern Khartoum. Local activists decried the violence, with the Mayo neighbourhood resistance committee stepping in to provide support to victims and organize burials for the unidentified bodies.

In the midst of this turmoil, the skies over Khartoum remain under military control, while RSF fighters continue to dominate the city’s streets. Accusations and denials regarding air strikes against civilians underscore the complexity of the situation, with the military asserting its adherence to international humanitarian law.

The staggering human cost of this war is evident in the statistics: over five million people have been uprooted, including one million refugees who have fled across borders, according to United Nations figures. As General Burhan seeks to navigate the treacherous path toward peace, his visit to Eritrea represents a crucial step in the ongoing effort to resolve Sudan’s devastating conflict.