Riyadh resets its compass in Sudan: Al-Khuraiji’s visit to Port Sudan exposes the intertwined roles of the military, Islamists, and civilians
In a covert visit with implications far beyond what was publicly acknowledged, Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Walid Al-Khuraiji landed at Port Sudan Airport at 11:30 a.m. for a delicate diplomatic mission lasting over five hours. The itinerary included separate meetings with military leaders, civilian Prime Minister Kamel Idriss, and Islamist figures, most notably Ali Karti, Secretary-General of the Islamic Movement.
Multiple meetings, one core agenda: preserve stability at all costs
According to informed sources, the visit was mandated directly by the Saudi royal court amid growing concern that a political collapse in Port Sudan could disrupt Red Sea balances and erode Riyadh’s influence in one of today’s most critical geopolitical fronts.
Al-Khuraiji’s first meeting was with senior military figures: General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, General Yasser Al-Atta, along with Generals Sabir and Mufaddal. The two-and-a-quarter-hour meeting included a closed luncheon. Burhan voiced frustrations about delayed military aid and the weakening of regional political backing for the army as it grapples with armed rebellion and a legitimacy crisis.
According to a military source, the main takeaway was an urgent message from Burhan to Riyadh, requesting the expedited delivery of military supplies under the security agreements signed last February. Al-Khuraiji pledged to deliver the message upon his return.
Kamel Idriss: transitional architect or civilian façade for Saudi policy?
In a separate meeting, Al-Khuraiji sat down with Prime Minister Kamel Idriss, who had been appointed in May after a discreet trip to Saudi Arabia, where he met high-level officials. He returned to Sudan on May 29 aboard a Badr Airlines flight, reportedly carrying “clear commitments to implement the Saudi vision,” according to a source close to his office.
However, sharp disagreements soon emerged between Idriss and the military council, particularly over cabinet formation and executive authority. Al-Khuraiji sought to defuse Idriss’s dissatisfaction, emphasizing that “this phase requires patience and coordination,” while offering promises of direct Saudi support if he succeeds in navigating the tensions.
A paradoxical twist: temporary Islamist support for a civilian government—backed by Riyadh
The most controversial meeting was with Ali Karti, Secretary-General of the Islamic Movement. According to leaked information, Al-Khuraiji asked Karti to offer temporary backing to Idriss’s government to ease Western pressure on the military and project an image of “relative stability” to donors and international partners.
The Saudi request conveyed a dual message:
- Riyadh does not oppose Islamist involvement, provided they maintain calm and avoid destabilization.
- Any current opposition to the Idriss government would be interpreted as a direct threat to Saudi interests.
Analysis: Saudi Arabia between soft control and crisis containment
Sudanese political analyst Khaled Al-Nour observes that the visit “reflects a new model of Saudi intervention based not on resolution, but on managing contradictions.” He adds: “Saudi Arabia is now holding the strings of the civilians (through Idriss), the military (via security cooperation), and the Islamists (via intelligence understandings), all while remaining behind the curtain as a guarantor of balance.”
Gulf affairs researcher Ahmad Al-Darini suggests Riyadh “seeks to prevent a vacuum that rival powers such as Iran, Turkey, or even the UAE might exploit.” He concludes: “What’s happening in Port Sudan mirrors Saudi Arabia’s broader regional approach: exercising control discreetly, without overt entanglement.”
A brief visit, but a defining moment
Al-Khuraiji departed Port Sudan Airport at 5:00 p.m., but the impact of his visit may linger for a long time. Saudi Arabia has now emerged as a key architect in Sudan’s evolving power structure — through support for civilians like Idriss, direct coordination with the military, and pragmatic deals with the Islamist bloc.
The essential question remains: Can Riyadh sustain this fragile balance? Or will Sudan’s internal complexities ultimately unravel the carefully laid foundations built behind closed doors?
