Eritrea Signals Overtures to Sudan’s Burhan

Eritrean warship docked at Port Sudan shores on Friday, stirring discussion about the timing amid Sudan’s ongoing conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This comes in the aftermath of Asmara’s abrupt expulsion of a Sudanese diplomat, a step seen by analysts as a signal of Eritrean support for the Sudanese army and a message to regional countries.

In addition, sources indicate Sudan’s Sovereign Council Chairman and army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, also sent a high-ranking official to Cairo to invite Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to Port Sudan. This invitation appears to coincide with the call extended to Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

The Sudanese navy welcomed the Eritrean vessels, which arrived on the orders of President Afwerki to show solidarity with the Sudanese people and reinforce the close ties between the two nations. Senior Sudanese naval officers were on hand to greet the Eritrean delegation.

The sudden overture from Asmara appears to be designed to assuage the Sudanese, following Eritrea’s declaration that Sudanese chargé d’affaires Khaled Hassan was persona non grata, giving him three days to leave.

Sudanese Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Hussein al-Amin announced that Sudan is seeking clarification from Asmara about the expulsion decision. Sudan views Eritrea’s dealing with its eastern Beja tribesman with suspicion. Images were recently shared on social media of a meeting between President Isaias Afwerki and Sudanese Beja tribal leader Mohamed Amin Turk.

Dispute recent discrepancies however, the Sudanese army has had good relations with Afwerki, who has been praised by Sudanese officials for his stance against foreign support for the Rapid Support Forces.

The head of the Eritrean naval delegation stated, “We are here to affirm our support for Sudan and its military forces,” expressing hope that Sudan overcomes its crisis and rejecting foreign interference. He highlighted the strategic alliance between Eritrea and Sudan.

Analysts also suggested that Eritrea’s gambit is in response to Ethiopia and other regional players who have recently courted Sudan’s army chief. The subtle diplomatic tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea became more visible recently, as Eritrea sought to suspend Ethiopian Airlines flights into the country. Asmara will seek to dilute Ethiopian influence in Sudan alongside Egypt, which also views Ethiopian initiatives in Sudan with suspicion. This is particularly the case given the fact Egypt and Ethiopia have yet to reach an agreement on the operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which is now for all practical purposes complete.

During his visit to Port Sudan, Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed was able to facilitate a call between Al Burhan and UAE monarch Mohammed Bin Zayed, who was up until recently accused by the Sudanese army chief of aiding his opponent, the RSF. There are now plans for the UAE and Sudan’s warring parties to hold an in-person meeting in Addis Ababa. 

Arrival of Eritrean warships followed a visit by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy to Port Sudan reflect frustration over being sidelined from settlement efforts and a desire to emphasize its alliance with Sudan amidst ongoing international and regional negotiations.