Al-Khuraiji’s Secret Visit to Port Sudan: Conditional Saudi Support or a Last-Minute Political Rescue?

In a turbulent political landscape, exclusive information has come to light regarding a covert visit made by Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Walid Al-Khuraiji to Port Sudan on July 12, 2025. Despite tight secrecy surrounding the details, reliable sources confirm that the visit aimed to defuse a silent crisis between Sudanese Prime Minister Kamel Idriss and the military leadership, while coordinating positions between Riyadh and Khartoum at a critical juncture.

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Containing a Quiet Civil Revolt
Al-Khuraiji’s visit comes amid growing discontent from Prime Minister Kamel Idriss over the ongoing interference by the military command, especially General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, in his executive powers—most notably the formation of the upcoming government. Idriss, appointed with Saudi endorsement, has reportedly expressed frustration in private circles over the army’s insistence on inserting certain figures into his cabinet. Concerned by a potential rupture, Riyadh intervened quickly to prevent escalation between civilian and military power centers.

Meeting the Power Behind the Scenes
Notably, Al-Khuraiji did not limit his meetings to military officials such as Burhan and Yasser Al-Atta; he also held talks with Ali Karti, the Secretary-General of the Islamic Movement. This signals Saudi Arabia’s intention to gather all the threads of influence into its hands. According to informed sources, Al-Khuraiji requested temporary backing from Karti for the Idriss government to ease tensions during this transitional phase, in exchange for undisclosed political assurances.

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Exchanged Messages and Military Demands
According to leaks, Burhan used his meeting with the Saudi envoy to deliver a direct message to Riyadh, urging the prompt dispatch of military aid, given the increasing field pressure faced by the army. Though no official Saudi response was made public, recent moves confirm that Riyadh still views the Sudanese military as the cornerstone of any potential stability—possibly at the expense of the civilian track.

Idriss: A Thoroughly Saudi-Orchestrated Project
It is worth noting that Kamel Idriss did not emerge spontaneously in Sudanese politics. His arrival in Port Sudan on May 29, 2025, aboard a Badr Airlines flight from Saudi Arabia, followed private meetings with senior Saudi officials. These meetings laid the groundwork for his appointment. Contrary to appearances, Idriss does not represent an independent figure but a calculated Saudi project aimed at anchoring regional influence in Khartoum.

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Who Truly Benefits?
If Al-Khuraiji’s visit aimed to contain a political rift and coordinate support, a central question arises: who ultimately benefits?
Is it Kamel Idriss, trapped between domestic pressure and foreign dictates?
Is it the Sudanese military, exploiting civilian legitimacy as a strategic cover?
Or is it Saudi Arabia, expanding its influence over Sudanese governance, starting with economic diplomacy and ending in sovereignty management?

The Chessboard Expands… and Saudi Arabia Moves Its Pieces
What occurred in Port Sudan on July 12 was not a routine diplomatic call—it was a direct political intervention at the heart of Sudan’s transitional structure. Al-Khuraiji’s visit was designed to recalibrate the balance between civilians and the military, but it also underscores Riyadh’s ambition to reshape Sudan’s future in line with its security interests in the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa.

Yet the game is far from over. Sudan is not an easily maneuvered chessboard controlled from abroad. Internal tensions are boiling, alliances are shifting, and public trust is eroding. Within this volatile backdrop, Al-Khuraiji’s visit stands as a pivotal chapter in the long narrative of foreign entanglement in Sudan’s fragile political theatre.

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