Sudan’s Deputy Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council Gen. Malik Agar said on Tuesday that Sudan’s stability and prosperity are closely linked to security in the Red Sea region and the Horn of Africa, calling for an integrated regional approach that links security with development.
Speaking at the opening of the Port Sudan Forum for Security and Development 2026, Agar said security is no longer limited to protecting national borders but also encompasses development, justice and institution-building.
The forum, organised by the Centre for Horn of Africa Studies and Research, brought together heads of diplomatic missions, representatives of regional and international organisations, experts, academics and private-sector representatives.
Agar said holding the forum in Port Sudan is strategically significant because Sudan serves as a link between regions with interconnected interests. He described the meeting as an opportunity to develop a comprehensive regional approach that connects security requirements with development priorities, moves discussions beyond identifying crises towards finding practical solutions, and shifts the focus from managing immediate challenges to developing long-term strategic plans.
Peace and reconstruction
Agar said the Sudanese government’s vision for sustainable peace and reconstruction is a comprehensive national project that extends beyond rebuilding physical infrastructure to include economic recovery and the rebuilding of state institutions.
He said security in the Red Sea is a shared responsibility that requires the participation of countries bordering the waterway, respect for their sovereignty and efforts to prevent the region from becoming an arena for proxy conflicts.
Agar said Sudan welcomes expanded cooperation with China in agriculture, food security, energy, mining, ports and railways, including through China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
He said the success of such partnerships should be measured not only by the value of announced investments but also by their contribution to knowledge transfer and job creation.
Regional strategy
Agar called for a shared vision for the future of the Red Sea region and the Horn of Africa based on the peaceful resolution of conflicts, stronger links between security and development, and investment in productive sectors.
He urged the forum to translate its recommendations into practical programmes and projects, proposing that its proceedings conclude with a Port Sudan Declaration on Security and Development.
He also proposed establishing a strategic observatory for the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa to support regional analysis and cooperation.
Agar reiterated that lasting security in the Red Sea depends on the participation of the countries concerned, respect for their sovereignty and legitimate interests, adherence to international law, and cooperation based on trust, transparency and mutual benefit.
Sudan’s Red Sea coastline is strategically important for regional trade and maritime security. The country has been at war since April 2023, when fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, displacing millions and triggering a major humanitarian crisis.
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