Egypt pressure stalls Sudan–Saudi maritime border deal

Egypt has forced the suspension of a planned maritime border demarcation agreement between Sudan and Saudi Arabia, citing its strategic interests in the Red Sea region.

According to sources close to Khartoum, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, ordered the postponement after direct pressure from Cairo. 

Egyptian authorities reportedly demanded that the deal not proceed without their full consultation.

The agreement--initially discussed on September 20, 2025, under the chairmanship of Engineer Al-Amin Muhammad Banqa--was to formalise the maritime boundary between Sudan and Saudi Arabia. 

The meeting also included Sudan’s Minister of Justice and other senior officials.

However, Egypt objected after learning that the Sudanese-Saudi committee had already revised maps following a recent land-and-sea border accord between Sudan and Egypt. 

Cairo argued that its exclusion from the new talks threatened its geopolitical and economic interests in the Red Sea.

Analysts say the postponement highlights Sudan’s growing dependence on regional allies amid internal instability.

Egypt and Saudi Arabia remain critical to General Burhan’s survival as his forces battle the Rapid Support Forces in a prolonged conflict.

Egypt’s interest in the demarcation is linked to marine investment and mineral exploration opportunities along Sudan’s coastal waters. Experts warn that by yielding to outside pressure, Sudan risks compromising its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Under Sudanese law, any border or resource agreement must be ratified by the National Council--currently dissolved following the 2021 military takeover.

The delay, observers note, reflects how regional power dynamics continue to dictate Sudan’s foreign policy decisions.