[ad_1]
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said the protesters were trying to emulate the 2011 Arab Spring and accused unidentified outside groups of trying to destabilize the region.
During a visit to Cairo on Sunday, where he met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, al-Bashir said the unrest in Sudan was "an attempt to copy the so-called Arab Spring for Sudan ".
This is the second foreign visit to Bashir abroad since last month, when demonstrations triggered by rising bread prices erupted in the country. The protests have also called on Al-Bashir, who has been in power for nearly 30 years, to step down as the country's leader.
Sisi said he was eager to maintain the close historical ties between the two countries, while Al-Bashir said the protests against him were not as keen as they were. seemed to be accusing outside groups of wanting to undermine his power over Egypt's own experience. during its 2011 uprising.
"Many negative organizations are working to undermine the stability and security of the region," said al-Bashir at a joint press conference at the end of the meeting.
"We recognize that there is a problem, we do not pretend that there is nothing but it's not as big as the one described by some media platforms. C & ### 39, is an attempt to copy the so-called "Arab Spring" for Sudan. "
Quoting what he said was "the harmful agitation" that these countries witnessed, he added: "The Sudanese people are alert and will not allow any intrusion or attempt to destabilize the security of Sudan" .
The demonstrations, which began in the north-eastern city of Atbara and spread to several cities, first took place due to rising costs of bread and fuel and other economic difficulties, including booming inflation and bank withdrawal limits.
But they quickly turned into calls for the resignation of Al-Bashir, in power for 29 years.
Authorities used tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition to quell unrest and imposed emergency laws and night curfews in some cities.
According to officials, 30 people died during the protests, but human rights groups estimate more than 40 the death toll.
Bashir, who took power during a military coup in 1989, said any change in leadership could only be done through the ballot box. He should be a candidate for a new term next year.
He was indicted in 2010 by the International Criminal Court for genocide in Darfur, and restricted his movements in friendly Arab and African countries.
The Sudanese economy has struggled to recover in recent years after the loss of about 80% of its oil reserves with the secession of South Sudan in 2011.
Strengthening bilateral relations
At the same time, Sisi, president of Egypt since 2014, said that he was working to restore stability after the unrest caused by the uprising in the country eight years ago, overseeing a widespread crackdown of opposition.
He added that the visit of Al-Bashir was "the culmination of the many efforts we made last year to strengthen bilateral relations".
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry expressed support for the beleaguered Sudanese government during a visit to Khartoum in December.
"Egypt is confident that Sudan will overcome the current situation," Shoukry told reporters at the time, after an interview with Bashir.
"Egypt is always ready to support Sudan," he said.
Relations between the two countries had deteriorated when Egypt had conceded the two islands of Tiran and Sanafir from the Red Sea to Saudi Arabia in 2016, resulting in a reconfiguration of Cairo's maritime borders. with Khartoum.
Sudan filed a complaint with the United Nations Security Council in 2017 accusing Egypt of attempting to illegally annex the border area, commonly known as the Halayeb Triangle, which has long been a thorn in the fragile relations between the two countries.
SOURCE:
Al Jazeera and news agencies
[ad_2]
Source link
