Qatar and Turkey to Sudan: Valedictory Week of 2017 and Eastern Africa

Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir welcomes Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan at Khartoum Airport, Sudan, Dec. 24, 2017.


Qatar and Turkey to Sudan: Valedictory Week of 2017 and Eastern Africa

By Yosief Abraham Z

Turkey’s interest to revitalize Suakin infrastructure, in addition to Qatar’s defense chief visit, has been this week’s magnetizing event in Eastern Africa. Still in limbo following to the Saudi-led isolation policy, Qatar has been reinforcing its connection with Turkey, another country that wants major game-player role with different quarters’ affairs. And in this final week of 2017, both countries—Qatar and Turkey-- have turned their muzzles on Khartoum for possible ‘engagements’ in different domains.

Failed under uncertainties on matters of economy resurrection, North Sudan received Qatar’s defense force chief this week and deliberated on security-related issues. This country that affirmed its neutrality but brotherly ties to Turkey’s provocations is armoring its relationship with different countries at the cost of its national priorities, a statement Khartoum slams vehemently.

While remained well credited for fuelling devastating role in civil war of Libya that deposed Muammar Ghadafi on 20 October of 2011, reports also elaborate Sudan’s significance in serving as conduit for Qatar’s army supplies to insurgents in Libya. Both countries, which have now been attempting to reestablish various engagements, therefore, are known for their efforts in intensifying diplomatic pressure over Egypt through various tactics.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s spirit of solidarity to the Islamic world is continuing from Somalia to North-Sudan and Tunisia. Recent tour of Turkey’s president to different African countries draw attention after his country readiness on range of issues in Sudan affirmed this week. Both countries, which hadn’t remarkable relationship, started their preliminary contacts in retaliation the 2008-9 Gaza strip war, are now showing mounting interests.

This eastern Africa country, which has decided to devalue its currency in January of 2018, is hopeful Qatar and Turkey to play vital role in empowering security and economy domains of the country.

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Yosief Abraham Z is a freelance journalist and Executive Director of HorMid Media and Art Center. You can contact him at josiabraham29@gmail.com

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