Erdogan offers to resolve escalating tensions between Sudan and the UAE

Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, made a significant diplomatic overture by reaching out to Sudan’s military leader, General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, through a telephone call. This communication took place on a Friday and was aimed at addressing the rising tensions between Sudan and the United Arab Emirates. The request for mediation follows the escalation of conflict in Sudan that erupted in mid-April 2023 when power struggles among military and paramilitary factions intensified, leading to severe humanitarian crises affecting over 13 million people who were displaced from their homes. The backdrop of these negotiations is complex, as the Sudanese government has accused the UAE of supplying arms to rival paramilitary groups, which in turn prolongs the ongoing conflict. The UAE, however, has countered these allegations, claiming Sudanese authorities refused to engage in peace negotiations with their opponents. The pressures on Sudan are further exacerbated by the geopolitical dynamics in the region, as Turkey looks to establish itself as a stabilizing force amidst disputes in East Africa, including recent conflicts between Ethiopia and Somalia that Erdogan successfully mediated. In recent discussions held in Ankara, Erdogan also met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Together, they recognized the importance of Somalia's territorial integrity and discussed the potential benefits of Ethiopia's access to maritime resources, a contentious issue following Ethiopia's agreements with Somaliland. These interactions illustrate Turkey's growing influence in the Horn of Africa and its willingness to play a role in conflict resolution. Erdogan's initiative to mediate between Sudan and the UAE reflects Turkey's broader foreign policy goals of promoting stability and preventing external interventions in the region. As the humanitarian situation in Sudan deteriorates further, the urgency for dialogue and reconciliation becomes increasingly critical. The outcome of these diplomatic efforts could have significant implications not just for Sudan and the UAE, but also for the surrounding geopolitical landscape in East Africa, where tensions remain high, and many countries are watching closely the developments in Sudanese politics.