PORT SUDAN, Sudan

The head of Sudan's ruling Sovereign Council Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on Wednesday met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy to discuss bilateral relations and the latest situation in the Horn of Africa.


According to a statement made by the Sovereignty Council, during the meeting held in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, Abiy underlined the importance of proposed initiatives, joint efforts, support and integration to end fighting in Sudan.


Al-Burhan, for his part, said that the two countries are connected by a "common destiny" and expressed his hope that these relations will further strengthen.


Separately, the head of Sudan's Sovereign Council also met with African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat and discussed with him the situation in Sudan and the efforts to resolve the crisis.

Sudan has been mired by fighting between the army, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the Sovereign Council of Sudan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April, in a conflict that has killed 5,000 people and displaced more than 5.2 million, according to UN figures.

Several cease-fire agreements brokered by Saudi Arabian and US mediators have failed to end the violence.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar