Egyptian men between the ages of 18 and 50 wanting to visit Sudan now require visas as a necessary precaution against terrorism and to prevent terrorists from entering the country, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry has announced.
The decision was taken last Friday does not apply to women, Egypt’s Daily News reported on Wednesday.
The ministry stated that the decision came after consultations and agreements with Egypt.
Egyptians were previously allowed to enter Sudan without a visa, in accordance with a deal signed in 2004.
However, the Sudanese media reported that Friday’s decision was similar to what Egypt imposes on Sudanese nationals entering Egypt who all have to obtain visas before entering the country.
Subsequent to Friday’s move, Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry cancelled a meeting on bilateral talks with his Sudanese counterpart, Ibrahim Ghandour. It is believed the two will, however, meet at a later stage.
Tensions between the two countries remain high following controversial comments by the Sudanese information minister against Egypt earlier in the year.
In February Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Karti criticised Egypt for its handling of a dispute involving the construction of a massive dam project in Ethiopia, which it has vehemently opposed over concerns it could disrupt water flows from the Nile River, the Sudan Tribune reported.
Karti said Egypt was further inflaming the situation by making critical comments in the media, adding that Sudan would continue its efforts to bridge the gap between the two countries.
“The position of Sudan is clear and we have already called on Egyptian officials to take advantage of the central role that Sudan could play regarding the crisis, but the arrogance of the previous government did not allow them to accept this idea,” he said.
“If there is a room for a role that Sudan can play then the atmosphere must be clear away from the tensions and the cries over the media that do more harm than good,” he added.
– African News Agency (ANA)