Qatar’s emir discusses developments in war-torn Sudan with Burhan

DOHA, Qatar (AA/AFP) – Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani discussed developments in war-torn Sudan on Thursday with Sudanese de facto ruler Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, according to the Qatari state news agency QNA.

In a meeting in Doha, Sheikh Tamim reiterated Qatar’s call for warring rivals to stop “the fighting in Sudan” and engage in “dialogue and peaceful ways to overcome differences.”

Al-Burhan hailed Qatar’s support to the Sudanese government and people.

Burhan was seen walking along a red carpet from his plane with Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, minister of state at Qatar’s foreign ministry, in a photo posted by the official Qatar News Agency on X, formerly Twitter.

Late on Wednesday, Burhan issued a decree dissolving the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, with whom Sudan’s regular army has been at war since April 15.

“The decision comes based on the repercussions of these forces’ rebellion against the state, the grave violations they committed against citizens, and the deliberate sabotage of the country’s infrastructure,” the decree said.

After spending months under seige inside the military headquarters in Khartoum, Burhan made his first foray outside last month and has visited regional allies in recent weeks.

He has since been based in Port Sudan in the country’s east, which has been spared the fighting and to which government officials and the United Nations have relocated.

It also hosts Sudan’s only functioning airport.

Late last month, he took his first trip abroad to Egypt, historically his closest ally, followed by a visit to South Sudan this week.