In a significant diplomatic encounter, Sudan's Sovereign Council leader, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which took place at Shannon Airport in Ireland.
President Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Sudan's consistent support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, emphasizing their discussions on shared security challenges, notably the activities of illegal armed groups with alleged Russian backing.
While the Sudanese Sovereign Council confirmed the meeting, no specific details about its content were provided.
Sudan has been marred by ongoing clashes between the national army and the paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April, resulting in a conflict with a devastating toll, as per local medical reports, claiming thousands of lives. Moreover, the UN has reported that more than 5.25 million people have been displaced by the conflict, with 4.1 million internally displaced within Sudan and 1.1 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries.
Western diplomats and media have raised concerns about Russian support for the RSF, with reports suggesting the presence of the Russian mercenary group Wagner in Sudan. It's worth noting that Russia employed the Wagner militia during its invasion of Ukraine last year.
Furthermore, there have been media reports regarding Ukrainian military support to the Sudanese army. However, both the Sudanese army and the RSF have denied these claims.
News ID : 2491