Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed arrives in Sudan for talks with Al-Burhan

KHARTOUM — Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali on Tuesday morning arrived in Port Sudan for a one-day visit, with talks expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations and potentially the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

Abiy was received by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF),according to a statement from the council.

“Discussions will center on the course of relations between the two countries and ways to advance prospects for joint cooperation between Khartoum and Addis Ababa,” the statement reads in part.

Abiy’s office said the visit aimed to find “sustainable solutions for Sudan’s stability.”

Sudan faces a deadly conflict between its regular armed forces, the SAF, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Ethiopia is a member of a regional me mechanism seeking solutions to the conflict, which has killed an estimated 15,000-20,000 people and displaced over 10 million.

However, Al-Burhan has previously accused Ethiopia, along with Kenya, of backing the RSF by hosting and supporting its leadership.

The statement from Abiy’s office did not address the accusations or mention specific plans regarding the conflict.