Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has held discussions with Sudan’s armed forces chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan as part of efforts by regional and global powers to resolve the conflict between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a war that erupted between forces loyal to al-Burhan and the RSF led by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti.

Abiy Ahmed's visit to Port Sudan on Tuesday marked the highest-level state visit since the conflict began, which has posed a threat to regional stability, displaced millions, and resulted in the world's largest humanitarian crisis.

Sudanese Refugee Crisis

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reported that approximately 10 million people have been forcibly displaced in Sudan since the outbreak of the war. Of these, about 7.7 million are internally displaced, while over two million have sought refuge in neighboring countries such as Egypt, Chad, the Central African Republic, and Ethiopia.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), the UN's hunger monitoring system, revealed that Sudan is facing its worst food crisis, with more than 755,000 individuals experiencing "catastrophe" in 10 out of 18 states, indicating the most severe level of extreme hunger.

Both sides have been accused of committing war crimes by United Nations officials and international human rights organizations.

In a closed-door meeting, al-Burhan briefed Ahmed on the "crimes and atrocities" committed by the RSF as part of their "rebellion against the state and its institutions," as per the council's statement.

Al Jazeera's Mohamed Vall, reporting from Port Sudan, noted that the purpose of Ahmed's visit was to "achieve peace and security" in Sudan, although the specifics of his proposals remained unclear.

The meeting between Ahmed and al-Burhan comes amidst reports of potential talks to be hosted in Uganda. Some see this visit as a positive development for Sudanese military leaders concerned about being ostracized by the international community.

Al-Burhan’s camp has largely rejected East African mediation efforts to end the conflict, accusing regional leaders of favoring the RSF.

In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, al-Burhan emphasized the importance of discerning between friends and foes of the Sudanese state and people. He criticized countries that remain silent or support the crimes committed during the conflict, labeling them as enemies.