Sudan’s military leadership appears divided over Turkey’s mediation initiative aimed at easing tensions between Sudan and the UAE. While SAF Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan welcomed Turkey’s involvement just two weeks ago, military-controlled Sudanese Foreign Ministry on Sunday issued a sharp response to a recent UAE statement regarding Ankara’s role.
Turkey’s mediation efforts gained momentum following a mid-December phone call between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and al-Burhan. During the call, al-Burhan expressed his willingness to support any Turkish role that could help end the ongoing war, which he blamed on the “rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF).” He also reaffirmed his trust in Turkey’s leadership.
Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Yusuf Sharif reinforced this position in an interview with Turkey’s Anadolu Agency last Friday, stating, “The Turkish initiative could have positive outcomes, and we hope it succeeds.” He highlighted Sudan’s “very good relations” with the UAE.
However, on Sunday night, the military-controlled Sudanese Foreign Ministry released a strongly worded statement accusing the UAE of meddling. This followed a UAE Foreign Ministry statement earlier that day, welcoming Turkish mediation efforts and expressing readiness to coordinate with Turkey to end the conflict in Sudan. The UAE urged an immediate ceasefire and emphasized dialogue as the only pathway to a political solution that would establish a civilian-led government.
The Sudanese Foreign Ministry echoed its appreciation for Turkey’s mediation, calling it a “trustworthy and commendable” effort. At the same time, the statement leveled fresh accusations against the UAE, rejecting what it described as “implied accusations” against the SAF for not participating in Geneva talks held in August. It dismissed those talks as ineffective and criticized the RSF for escalating attacks on civilians.
Sources close to the matter told Asharq Al-Awsat that the military-controlled Foreign Ministry’s hostile stance toward the UAE likely reflects the influence of Islamist factions within Sudan’s government. These factions are reportedly asserting significant control over military and state decision-making. According to the sources, these groups are opposed to any mediation efforts between the SAF and RSF, favoring a military solution against what they view as “rebel militias.”
The war, which erupted in April 2023 between the SAF led by al-Burhan and the RSF commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), has resulted in thousands of civilian deaths and displaced millions within and beyond Sudan’s borders.
