Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki reiterated his country's full support for the Sudanese government, which has taken up residence in Port Sudan as its temporary capital. He also reiterated his country's support for the country's stability and unity, and its support for the Sudanese people. The statement came during talks with Prime Minister Kamil Idriss, who arrived in the capital, Asmara, on Thursday for a two-day visit.

Idriss and his delegation, including the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Information, met with Afwerki yesterday evening. The Sudanese News Agency (SUNA) reported that the Eritrean president affirmed his country's full support for the Sudanese government and reiterated Asmara's "firm position in supporting Sudan's stability and unity, and its support for the Sudanese people to achieve peace, development, and prosperity." They also discussed developing joint cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

SUNA reported that the two sides also discussed regional and international developments related to both countries, and agreed to coordinate positions, intensify cooperation in the face of common challenges, and enhance security and stability in the region.

During the meeting, Idris expressed his appreciation for Eritrea's supportive stance toward Sudan and President Afwerki's efforts to support Sudan, both its government and people, in confronting the challenges facing the country, according to the official agency.

Afwerki organized a public reception and a tour of Kemshetatu Street, in the center of the capital, Asmara. The two officials were seen walking among welcoming crowds that included Sudanese and Eritreans. SUNA said the large numbers that gathered on both sides of the road to greet the two men "reflect the historical relations and deep ties between the peoples of the two countries."

Idris was seen walking with Afwerki along Kemshetatu Street in the center of the capital, Asmara, chanting, "Long live President Isaias Afwerki... Long live President Burhan." This sparked a wave of criticism and disapproval on social media, including from some supporters of the prime minister and his government, and opposition activists mocked his chant for a foreign head of state.

Idriss, who returned to Sudan on Friday, is making his fourth foreign visit to Asmara since assuming his duties as prime minister on May 19, by order of the Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. These visits included visits to Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and his participation in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

It is worth noting that Eritrea is one of the neighboring countries that most strongly supports the Sudanese government and army in the war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces. President Afwerki had threatened to intervene on behalf of the Sudanese army if the war approached the states of the Red Sea, Kassala, Gedaref, and the Blue Nile. He explicitly declared his support for the army against the Rapid Support Forces, considering the war in Sudan a regional war that threatens the region and the security of his country. He has placed his army and military capabilities in support of the Sudanese army, which represents the most direct position in support of Port Sudan among all of Sudan's neighboring countries.

Eritrea also hosts training camps for civilian "militias" allied with the military, and reports have circulated that dozens of ethnically based movements have received training and arms from the Eritrean military and within its camps.

The announcement by one of the leaders of these pro-army militias that he had begun training 50,000 fighters in Eritrea, following his meeting with Afwerki in Asmara, sparked a major uproar. Press reports also circulated that Sudan had "secured" its warplanes in Eritrea to protect them from drone attacks by the Rapid Support Forces.