Sudan says entry-visa on Egyptians meant to prevent terrorism

KHARTOUM—Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour said here on Monday that Khartoum’s decision to impose entry-visa on Egyptian citizens is meant to prevent terrorism.

“Imposing entry-visa on the Egyptians came to prevent entry of terrorism, and the move came in consultation with Egypt to organize entry and exit of the citizens, and to be applied by the two parties,” Ghandour told reporters.

The Sudanese minister denied that his country has backtracked from the Four Freedoms Agreement signed by the two countries in 2004.

He noted that the meetings of the joint political consultation committee between Sudan and Egypt would be held next week.

On Friday, Sudan issued a decision obliging part of Egyptian citizens seeking to enter its territories to obtain entry-visa, namely the ones aged between 16 to 50 years-old. The decision excludes women and children.

In 2004, Sudan and Egypt signed an agreement of four freedoms, which avails the citizens of the two countries freedoms of work, movement, residence and ownership.

Khartoum said it has fully implemented the agreement since it was signed, while Cairo imposes entry-visa on Sudanese aged between 18 and 50 years-old.

Khartoum recently complained about an Egyptian decision increasing the stay fees on foreigners, including the Sudanese.