Sudan has denied reports it has “frozen” diplomatic ties with Egypt, the country’s state-owned news agency SUNA reported Sunday evening.
In an official statement, Sudan’s foreign ministry denied social-media reports on the cutting of ties, describing them as “unfounded and untrue”.
The ministry also rejected reports that it has demanded the resignation of South Darfur’s governor over camps for displaced persons in that state.
According to the ministry, false news reports had been circulated on social media claiming that Sudan has taken the decision to freeze ties with Egypt over “Egypt’s voting within the UN against revoking economic sanctions imposed on Sudan.”
The ministry called on social-media users to check the credibility of news reports, claiming that false reports “harm the higher national interests of the country.”
Sudan’s stern denial of the reports follows mounting tensions between Egypt and Sudan this year, with media outlets from both countries exchanging attacks.
In May, Sudan asked Cairo to explain Egypt’s position on the UN’s Darfur Sanctions Committee, after rumours circulated that Egypt had backed a call during an April meeting to maintain sanctions against Khartoum.
Cairo has denied claims that it supported a continuation of sanctions.
Since then, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Sudanese counterpart Ibrahim El-Ghandour have meet on several occasions, vowing to maintain the nations’ strategic ties.
However, in the early summer, Sudan’s President Omar Al-Bashir alleged that Cairo had provided support to rebel groups in Sudan fighting against government forces.
In June, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi rejected the allegations, saying that Egypt “does not conspire against anyone.”
Source: Ahram Online
