Interview with the Sudanese Ambassador to Eritrea

Published: November 10, 2025

Sudan Tomorrow

The Sudanese community serves as a bridge between Sudan and Eritrea, and bilateral relations are strengthening despite the challenges.

The Eritrean people are authentic, holding fast to their identity and unity, known for their generosity and diligence, and the harmony of their cultures and languages forms a model of cohesion and shared identity.

We are coordinating with the Saudi embassy to facilitate matters for Sudanese citizens affected by the suspension of the fingerprinting system.

Eritrea is a safe and open gateway for Sudanese people during wartime.

The "We Are All El Fasher" forum in Asmara sends a message of solidarity with the victims of the aggression against Darfur.

Eritrea is a neighboring country that shares blood ties, history, and destiny with Sudan, and it has dealt with us wisely and responsibly since the very first moment of the crisis.

Eritrea and Sudan could form a strong production and trade hub in the Horn of Africa, if conditions stabilize and administrative and customs obstacles are removed.

In light of the events that Sudan is witnessing following the rebellion of the Rapid Support Forces militia, the State of Eritrea has emerged as a historical neighbor with close ties to Sudan, going beyond diplomatic relations to include frameworks of economic, social and cultural cooperation.

In a comprehensive interview conducted by Al-Tayyar Kassala newspaper with the Sudanese Ambassador to Eritrea, Osama Ahmed Abdel-Bari, the Ambassador addressed the most prominent challenges facing the embassy and the Sudanese community, ways to enhance bilateral cooperation, and the role of the community in building bridges of communication between the two brotherly peoples.

Osama Ahmed Abdelbari, Sudanese Ambassador to Eritrea

Asmara – Interview by: Abdullah Wad Al-Sharif

To begin with, what about the repercussions of the Sudanese crisis on the community and bilateral relations, and how does the internal crisis affect the embassy's relationship with the Eritrean government?

Relations between Sudan and Eritrea have witnessed remarkable development in the post-war period, as both countries seek to rebuild bridges of communication and strengthen cooperation to achieve common interests and enhance stability in the border region. Following the outbreak of war in Sudan, the Eritrean government was keen to support Sudanese unity and maintain the security of its borders, while Khartoum has shown a growing desire for cooperation in the areas of security, trade, and the movement of people and goods. This was exemplified by the visits of the Chairman of the Sovereignty Council, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and Prime Minister Dr. Kamil al-Tayeb Idris to Asmara, where they met with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. Agreements were reached to activate joint committees and propel bilateral relations toward broader horizons.

Have you faced any challenges in providing services due to the situation inside?

The war has impacted the lives of Sudanese citizens abroad, increasing the responsibilities of the embassy. We worked closely with the Eritrean authorities to provide shelter for thousands of citizens, hosting some at the embassy and the mission's residence. Today, we continue to perform our duties with renewed determination to facilitate the affairs of Sudanese citizens and overcome difficulties.

How did the events affect the Sudanese community?

“The community was deeply affected by the war, especially the severing of ties with relatives inside Sudan, and the increased financial and psychological pressure. However, voluntary initiatives emerged within the community to provide assistance to the affected groups, confirming that belonging to the homeland is not limited by distances.”

Have you witnessed a change in the size of the Sudanese community?

Before the war, the Sudanese community was small, numbering no more than one hundred. With the deteriorating security situation, Eritrea opened its borders to Sudanese citizens without visas, bringing the number of arrivals to over ten thousand. The Eritrean authorities provided shelter in coordination with the embassy, and we facilitated their official procedures. We also coordinated with the Saudi embassy to expedite visas for humanitarian cases.

How does the embassy handle humanitarian cases?

Humanitarian cases, such as patients and the elderly, receive special attention, and coordination is made with the Saudi embassy to complete visas within two to three days.

How does the embassy ensure that the community's complaints are heard?

We are keen to listen to the complaints and concerns of the community, and we work with the Eritrean authorities to address the issues, appreciating their noble stances such as exemption from financial fees and granting extended residency permits free of charge, which reflects the depth of the fraternal ties between the two peoples.

Are there any suggestions for improving the services?

There are no complaints, and all consular transactions are completed within ten minutes, in order to facilitate procedures and provide the best services.

What is the nature of biometric fingerprinting and what are the reasons for its malfunction?

Fingerprinting is a fundamental method for verifying identity and ensuring the integrity of procedures. System outages are due to technical reasons such as disconnection from the central server, security updates, and sometimes emergency failures due to high traffic.

What is the number of people affected and what solutions are being offered?

The number of those affected has increased, and humanitarian visas have been expedited in coordination with the Saudi Embassy. We expect the system to resume operations in the coming days after the completion of technical arrangements to ensure efficient performance and high-quality services.

What are the main areas of economic cooperation?

It was agreed to sign a comprehensive economic agreement that includes projects in fisheries, mining, and the activation of joint committees, confirming a strategic partnership that achieves sustainable development.

What are the main obstacles facing businessmen?

The main challenges include weak infrastructure and logistics, customs complexities, difficulty in obtaining financing, and unstable economic policies. The embassy is working to overcome these obstacles through coordination with Eritrean authorities and by organizing joint business forums.

What are the most significant untapped opportunities?

Pastures and shared grazing can be developed, breeds improved, slaughterhouses, dairy and leather factories established, livestock trade activated through Eritrean ports, and water harvesting projects implemented to enhance the stability of pastoral communities.

Your Excellency, what are the most prominent initiatives of the community in Eritrean society?

The community embodies the values of solidarity through charitable, cultural and educational initiatives. Doctors and professors provide services to the Eritrean community, as well as cultural events that reflect Sudanese heritage and promote understanding between the two peoples.

What is the role of the embassy in promoting Sudanese culture?

The embassy organizes cultural and artistic events, and works with Eritrean institutions and media outlets to highlight Sudan’s civilization and its bright image, and to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation.

What are the distinctive characteristics of the Eritrean people?

How did the embassy support the Battle of Karameh?

We organized the 'All of Us Al-Fashir' forum with the participation of the Eritrean community and officials to discuss ways of providing support, and we held a day of solidarity with those affected by the crimes of the Rapid Support Forces militia, calling on the international community to take action to protect civilians.

Osama Ahmed Abdelbari, Sudanese Ambassador to Eritrea, with Prime Minister Kamil Idris