There is perhaps no other country in the world with more at stake in Sudan than Egypt.
Yet the nation that once co-ruled its southern neighbour, alongside the UK, has been almost entirely excluded from the continuing international drive to end Sudan’s latest bout of civil strife.
Analysts believe the perceived marginalisation of Egypt is partly a reflection of Cairo’s diminishing regional influence, which over the years has left ample room for the emergence of rising regional powers with the financial muscle and alliances to back their new clout.
“Sudan is undoubtedly the most important country to Egypt but its relations with Khartoum have been complex and sensitive for around 150 years,” said Mohamed Anis Salem, a former career diplomat who now sits on the Egyptian Council for Foreign Relations, a think tank in Cairo.
“The region has gone through structural change and there are more energetic and dynamic countries now that have chipped away at Egypt’s regional standing and are happy to play an active role and cope with the cost of doing that."
On Thursday, the army and the RSF agreed to a deal mediated by Saudi Arabia and the US that commits them to allowing safe passage for civilians, medics and humanitarian relief, and to minimise harm to civilians and public infrastructure.
US officials said the deal would be followed by negotiations on the details of securing humanitarian access accompanied by a ceasefire of up to 10 days.
The fighting, which began on April 15, has killed at least 750 people and injured about 5,000 to date.
It has forced another 200,000 to take refuge in neighbouring countries. At least 60,000 of these fled to Egypt, while most of the others went to Chad and Ethiopia.
Egypt and Sudan have long been bound by close ties, with a rich mass of social, economic and cultural relations.
Their political ties, however, have consistently proved less durable than those between the people of the two nations.
The larger and more powerful Egypt has always viewed Sudan as vital to its national security because of its 650km Red Sea coastline, its control of the middle reaches of the Nile, the source of nearly all of Egypt’s freshwater needs.
Sudan’s territory also stretches east to the increasingly strategic Horn of Africa, west to the troubled Sahel region and south to central Africa.
But repeated attempts over the past 50 years to integrate the two countries’ economies or place them on the path to a full union, have made little headway amid concerns held by many Sudanese that their country would be swallowed by its bigger neighbour.
More recently, Egypt and Sudan have been working on a rail link and on integrating Sudan into Egypt’s national electricity grid to help it overcome its chronic power shortage.
The two nations’ militaries have been conducting frequent joint war games. Their governments have for years synchronised their approach to talks with Ethiopia over the construction by Addis Ababa of a Nile dam that both Cairo and Khartoum regard as a threat to their water security.
Yet Egypt has not been part of the international diplomatic push to calm the conflict in Sudan.
Egypt 'didn't have a role'
“I am not sure the Egyptians were left out of the process per se, but they definitely didn’t have a designated role to play,” said Michael Hanna, a Middle East expert and the New York-based director of the US programme at the International Crisis Group.
“They were consulted but they were not part of the process.”
He said Egypt was mostly to blame.
Egypt and Sudan have been on-and-off allies for decades, with Cairo enjoying its closest ties with Khartoum when the Sudanese military is in power.
Egypt's relations with Sudan have been fraught with tension and distrust every time an elected government was in power in Khartoum.
Ruled by men with a military background for most of the 70-plus years since the monarchy was toppled, Egypt has thrown its weight behind Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, the army chief who in 2019 became Sudan’s de facto head of state.
Egypt continued its support for Gen Al Burhan even when he and RSF commander Gen Mohamed Dagalo seized power in a 2021 coup that was condemned by the international community for derailing Sudan’s democratic transition and plunging the nation into political and economic crisis.
“There is a foreign and domestic constant in Egypt these days, which is the supremacy of the state and its institutions and the need to protect them,” said Mr Salem, echoing Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, himself a former army general who was first elected in 2014.
“The preservation of the state means continuity.”
Cairo has also failed to join foreign powers in their denouncement of the heavy-handedness shown by Sudan’s security forces when dealing with the anti-military street demonstrations that swept the country after the 2021 coup.
At least 120 were killed and more than 2,000 injured in those protests.
Egypt's alienation of the pro-democracy forces campaigning for a return to civilian rule was complete when it sought last year to broaden the participation of civilians in the internationally backed process to find a way out of the political crisis created by the 2021 coup.
It invited supporters of former president Omar Al Bashir — deposed by his generals in 2019 amid a popular uprising against his 29-year rule — and representatives of parties loyal to Cairo to meetings in the Egyptian capital, a move that deeply angered the pro-democracy movement and raised eyebrows among the movement's foreign backers
“The Egyptians were never fully on the same page with the transition,” said Mr Hanna. "That in turn burnt some bridges and upset some key members of the international community."
With Sudan now embroiled in fighting, Egypt has lost a key ally in its dispute with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
Talks between Ethiopia on one side and Sudan and Egypt on the other collapsed in 2021, with Cairo and Khartoum insisting that Addis Ababa enters a legally binding agreement on the operation and filling of the dam. Ethiopia maintains that guidelines should suffice.
“The exit of Sudan from the renaissance dam equation loses Egypt a source of support it has long counted on,” said Amani El Taweel, one of Egypt’s most authoritative analysts on Sudan.
“Egypt also lost tools of pressure on Ethiopia now that joint air and naval war games with Sudan are off."
Darfur at risk
Another source of concern for Egypt is the possibility of Sudan fracturing, with the restive western region of Darfur most at risk in the case of a protracted conflict or the defeat in Khartoum of Gen Dagalo’s RSF.
Both Gen Dagalo and his RSF come from Darfur where, back in the 2000s, they fought on the government’s side against ethnic African rebels. The vast region would be the obvious place for the general and his men to fall back on in defeat.
Darfur is already the scene of fierce battles between troops and RSF fighters in addition to tribal and ethnic clashes. The security vacuum created by the fighting has also given rise to tribal clashes in the Kosti region south of Khartoum.
The schedule
December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club
December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq
December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm
December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition
December 13: Falcon beauty competition
December 14 and 20: Saluki races
December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm
December 16 - 19: Falconry competition
December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am
December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am
December 22: The best herd of 30 camels
The biog
From: Upper Egypt
Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
Sreesanth's India bowling career
Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40
ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55
T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Karwaan
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Director: Akarsh Khurana
Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Haltia.ai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Arto%20Bendiken%20and%20Talal%20Thabet%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20AI%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2041%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20About%20%241.7%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self%2C%20family%20and%20friends%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
More Iraq election coverage:
The%20Little%20Mermaid%20
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Bullet%20Train
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results
2.30pm: Park Avenue – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 2,000m; Winner: Rb Seqondtonone, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
3.05pm: Al Furjan – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Bosphorus, Dane O’Neill, Bhupat Seemar
3.40pm: Mina – Rated Condition (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Royal Mews, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar
4.15pm: Aliyah – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,900m; Winner: Ursa Minor, Ray Dawson, Ahmad bin Harmash
4.50pm: Riviera Beach – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 2,200m; Winner: Woodditton, Saif Al Balushi, Ahmad bin Harmash
5.25pm: Riviera – Handicap (TB) Dh2,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Al Madhar, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
6pm: Creek Views – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Al Salt, Dane O’Neill, Erwan Charpy
Company%20Profile
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Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20WallyGPT%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2014%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESaeid%20and%20Sami%20Hejazi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20raised%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%247.1%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%20round%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Six tips to secure your smart home
Most smart home devices are controlled via the owner's smartphone. Therefore, if you are using public wi-fi on your phone, always use a VPN (virtual private network) that offers strong security features and anonymises your internet connection.
Keep your smart home devices’ software up-to-date. Device makers often send regular updates - follow them without fail as they could provide protection from a new security risk.
Use two-factor authentication so that in addition to a password, your identity is authenticated by a second sign-in step like a code sent to your mobile number.
Set up a separate guest network for acquaintances and visitors to ensure the privacy of your IoT devices’ network.
Change the default privacy and security settings of your IoT devices to take extra steps to secure yourself and your home.
Always give your router a unique name, replacing the one generated by the manufacturer, to ensure a hacker cannot ascertain its make or model number.
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Places to go for free coffee
- Cherish Cafe Dubai, Dubai Investment Park, are giving away free coffees all day.
- La Terrace, Four Points by Sheraton Bur Dubai, are serving their first 50 guests one coffee and four bite-sized cakes
- Wild & The Moon will be giving away a free espresso with every purchase on International Coffee Day
- Orange Wheels welcome parents are to sit, relax and enjoy goodies at ‘Café O’ along with a free coffee
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
Dolittle
Director: Stephen Gaghan
Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Michael Sheen
One-and-a-half out of five stars
Key Points
- Protests against President Omar Al Bashir enter their sixth day
- Reports of President Bashir's resignation and arrests of senior government officials