Reports
Sudan-UAE Relations: Can Erdogan’s Mediation Mend the Rift?
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken a significant step toward mending the strained relations between Sudan and the UAE by offering to mediate during a phone call with Sudan’s Sovereign Council leader and Army Commander, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, on Friday.
During the conversation, Erdogan expressed Turkey’s readiness to mediate between Sudan and the UAE to establish peace and security in Sudan. Al-Burhan welcomed any Turkish role in stopping the war triggered by the “rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF),” praising Turkey’s supportive stance toward Sudan and its efforts to achieve regional and international stability. He highlighted Turkey’s success in addressing the Syrian crisis, voicing confidence in Erdogan’s government and its support for the Sudanese people.
How Did Sudan-UAE Relations Deteriorate?
Three months after the war erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, Khartoum accused Abu Dhabi of providing military and logistical support to the RSF. These accusations were echoed in a report by UN experts. In March 2024, Sudan filed a formal complaint with the UN Security Council, asserting that the war was orchestrated with “malicious planning” by the UAE. Sudan alleged that the RSF’s heinous attacks on civilians and infrastructure were sustained by Emirati funding, logistical support, and diplomatic backing.
The complaint outlined that Emirati support enabled atrocities, displacement, famine, lack of healthcare, and widespread suffering, amounting to crimes against humanity. In October, Sudan strengthened its case with new evidence, alleging that the UAE supplied weapons to the RSF via Chad. However, the UAE denied these allegations, asserting its neutrality and early calls for de-escalation, dialogue, and political solutions in Sudan.
In July, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed mediated a phone call between al-Burhan and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed. During the conversation, al-Burhan expressed dissatisfaction with UAE support for the RSF and urged it to cease backing the militia. In response, bin Zayed reiterated the UAE’s commitment to peace in Sudan, emphasizing support for initiatives aimed at ending the crisis. Despite these efforts, tensions persisted, with no direct meeting between the two leaders.
Erdogan’s Mediation: A New Opportunity
Erdogan’s initiative represents a critical opportunity not only to repair bilateral relations but also to address the broader conflict in Sudan. According to Osama Hassoun, a senior member of the Democratic Unionist Party, the success of Turkey’s mediation hinges on alignment with regional and international efforts, particularly the U.S.-Saudi initiative in Jeddah.
Hassoun emphasized that resolving Sudan’s crisis requires addressing external interferences, Sudan’s vast resources, and its strategic position. He noted that inclusive political solutions and unity among Sudanese stakeholders are essential. In this context, international initiatives like Erdogan’s mediation play a vital role in ending the war and facilitating the return of millions of displaced Sudanese.
