The RSF, now embroiled in a deadly armed conflict with the country’s military, has released video showing Egyptian troops in custody.
Egypt has confirmed that a group of its soldiers has been captured in Sudan, as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have said they will cooperate in returning them.
The RSF, now engaged in a second day of deadly armed conflict with the country’s army, released video Saturday afternoon showing Egyptian troops “surrendering” in Merowe, located between the Sudanese capital of Khartoum and the border with Egypt.
The video shows a group of men in Egyptian army uniforms sitting on the ground talking to members of the RSF. Another clip shows RSF members standing next to a military aircraft carrying Egyptian Air Force signs, honoring the aircraft’s alleged seizure at Merowe.
The Egyptian armed forces released a statement late Saturday saying it is working to bring back their troops and claimed they were there to “conduct joint training with their Sudanese counterparts”.
Egyptian and Sudanese armies have previously conducted several joint exercises, including naval exercises announced earlier this month in Port Sudan on the Red Sea amid rising tensions with Ethiopia.
Cairo and Khartoum have increasingly deepened their military ties, with their armies signing a military cooperation agreement in March 2021 covering training and border security.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who strongly supports the Sudanese military and pro-military political parties, has sought to improve relations with Sudan after former President Omar al-Bashir lost power in a mass uprising in 2019.
El-Sisi, who came to power in a military coup in 2013, had a phone call with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday, expressing concern over events in Sudan and calling for dialogue.
Egypt’s foreign ministry also said it has been in touch with European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to coordinate and discuss efforts to stop the violence.
An emergency session of the Arab League was held on Sunday to discuss Sudan, after Egypt and Saudi Arabia requested it. The 22-member organization was originally founded in Cairo in 1945 and currently includes Sudan among its members.
Ahmed Aboul Gheit, an Egyptian politician and former foreign minister of Egypt, has been the Secretary General of the Arab League since 2016.
Aboul Gheit on Saturday condemned the hostilities, especially as they take place during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, when fighting is shunned. He said the Arab League will work towards a ceasefire and ensuring the safety of civilians.