Sudan foreign ministry: We condemn the meeting that brought Hemedti together with the Ugandan president

Sudan foreign ministry: We condemn the meeting that brought Hemedti together with the Ugandan president

Sudan’s Diplomatic Dispute with Uganda: Economic Implications of the Hemedti-Museveni Meeting

The Sudanese government has condemned the recent meeting between Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (“Hemedti”), calling it a “politically insignificant event” that does not warrant escalation. The visit, aimed at fostering dialogue to end Sudan’s three-year civil war, has drawn international scrutiny due to Hemedti’s alleged involvement in war crimes, including genocide in El Fasher. While Uganda framed the engagement as a neutral diplomatic effort to promote peace, Sudan’s Prime Minister’s political advisor, Mohamed Mohamed Khair, dismissed the meeting as a “farce” orchestrated to shift blame from the UAE, a key RSF backer.

The economic ramifications of this diplomatic tension remain unclear. Uganda, a regional trade hub, maintains significant influence over South Sudan, a nation critical to East African oil exports and cross-border commerce. Any deterioration in Uganda-Sudan relations could disrupt regional trade networks, particularly in sectors reliant on South Sudan’s infrastructure, such as agriculture and energy. Meanwhile, Sudan’s government has signaled reluctance to provoke a crisis with Uganda, citing the potential for indirect economic fallout, including disruptions to aid flows or investment in post-conflict reconstruction.

Internationally, the meeting has reignited debates about legitimizing armed factions. Critics argue that hosting Hemedti risks normalizing RSF operations, potentially complicating sanctions enforcement or future economic reforms in Sudan. Conversely, proponents view such engagements as necessary to broker peace, which could stabilize Sudan’s economy in the long term.

For now, the Sudanese government appears focused on isolating Hemedti, with Khair suggesting the RSF leader may soon bear full responsibility for the conflict’s economic toll. Investors are advised to monitor regional diplomatic shifts, as unresolved tensions could impact cross-border trade, foreign direct investment, and humanitarian aid allocations in East Africa.

(Word count: 300)