Egypt’s Interior Minister, Mahmoud Tawfik, has reiterated Egypt’s unwavering support for the unity of Sudan and its national institutions during a meeting with Sudan’s Ambassador to Egypt, Imad Adawi.
The meeting emphasized the close relationship between the two countries, particularly in light of the growing number of Sudanese nationals residing in Egypt due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
Minister Tawfik highlighted that Egypt’s new residency regulations aim to streamline the presence of foreign nationals within its borders, while also expressing Egypt’s readiness to consider requests from Sudan regarding extending residency permits and expediting their issuance.
“We are committed to facilitating these processes in a positive manner for our Sudanese brothers,” said Tawfik.
The new law regulating foreign residency in Egypt is currently under review and is expected to include provisions that will offer special treatment for Sudanese citizens. As part of this, Sudanese nationals who have held permanent residency in Egypt since 1995 are urged to collect their exemption cards, which grant them additional privileges.
The meeting also addressed the challenges facing the Sudanese community in Egypt, particularly those who have arrived after the outbreak of war.
This includes securing entry visas and residency permits, especially for vulnerable groups such as patients seeking medical treatment.
The Sudanese ambassador requested the establishment of a dedicated entry point to facilitate the arrival of Sudanese patients for medical care in Egypt.
In addition, the discussion touched upon the situation of Sudanese nationals imprisoned in Egypt and the need to expedite procedures for those wishing to return to Sudan.
The Sudanese Embassy assured that it is continuing to work closely with Egyptian authorities to provide necessary assistance.
On a related note, the Sudanese Cultural Office in Cairo released a statement clarifying the ongoing issue of Sudanese schools in Egypt.
The office confirmed that it had not yet received an official decision from Sudan’s Ministry of Education regarding the academic calendar, nor have Egyptian education authorities approved the reopening of these schools.
The embassy urged school owners to adhere to the regulations of the host country and advised parents to hold off on enrolling their children for the new school year until the necessary approvals are granted.
Meanwhile, Egypt’s Ministry of Interior refuted rumors circulating in a voice recording that claimed Sudanese nationals were being arrested in the Giza governorate.
The ministry labeled these claims as an attempt to cause unrest and announced that legal action would be taken against those spreading false information.