Turkey’s Influence on Sudan’s Islamists Increases the Chances of Success for Its Peace Initiative

7th January 2025

3 minutes read

Turkey's Influence on Sudan's Islamists Increases the Chances of Success for Its Peace Initiative

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who had previously rejected all peace initiatives, welcomes Turkey’s proposal, supported by advanced combat drones provided by Ankara.

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Turkey has stepped into Sudan’s bloody conflict with a peace initiative, leveraging its close ties with army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Ankara is one of his main allies, having supplied offensive weapons that have helped balance the power dynamics, leading al-Burhan to embrace the initiative.

During a meeting in Port Sudan on Saturday, al-Burhan asked Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Burhaneddin Duran “to convey to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Foreign Minister… the Sudanese leadership’s welcome of the initiative,” Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Youssef stated in a press conference following the meeting.

Youssef added, “Sudan needs brothers and friends like Turkey,” asserting that “this initiative could lead to real efforts to achieve peace in Sudan.”

Al-Burhan, who had previously rejected all regional and international peace negotiations by imposing unrealistic conditions, is now cooperating with Turkey, which recently supplied him with some of the most advanced combat drones. These drones, capable of highly precise strikes, provide the army with significant capabilities for targeted military operations, although their use has raised concerns about potential civilian targeting.

In addition to direct military support, Turkey hosts leaders of Sudan’s Islamist movements, who wield significant influence over the army.

Turkey now seeks to play a role that grants it greater regional presence, having received the green light from the UAE. The UAE welcomed Turkey’s “diplomatic efforts” last week to “resolve the current crisis in Sudan.”

The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its readiness to coordinate efforts with Ankara to end the war in Sudan.

In early December, Erdoğan proposed during a phone call with al-Burhan to “mediate between Sudan and the UAE to resolve disputes and to establish peace and stability in Sudan,” according to a statement from the Turkish presidency.

The Sudanese government, backed by the army, has repeatedly tried to justify its military losses by claiming Emirati support for the Rapid Support Forces, which Abu Dhabi has denied.

U.S. lawmakers reported in late December that the UAE had informed the U.S. it would not arm the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan’s war.

Following his meeting with al-Burhan on Saturday, Duran stated that the peace process “requires coordinated efforts” and that Turkey will “play its role in mobilizing other regional actors to help overcome challenges and end this conflict.”

Turkish diplomatic sources told Anadolu Agency that Duran also met with Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Youssef and Sudanese Minister of Finance Jibril Ibrahim at the same meeting.

Discussions focused on the latest developments in Sudan and Turkey’s potential contributions to a peaceful resolution, as well as humanitarian aid.

Turkey is also emphasizing economic cooperation with Sudan, discussing the opening of a Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) office and a branch of the Turkish Agricultural Participation Bank in Sudan.

The diplomatic sources stressed Turkey’s strong commitment to Sudan’s unity, territorial integrity, sovereignty, and stability. They also affirmed Ankara’s readiness to help end the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Sudan through peaceful means and prevent “further bloodshed among brothers.”

Since April 2023, a war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces has claimed over 20,000 lives, displaced more than 14 million people, and pushed the country to the brink of famine, according to UN estimates and local authorities. However, U.S. university research suggests the death toll is much higher, reaching around 130,000 direct and indirect deaths.

The army’s use of national funds to purchase drones instead of addressing the humanitarian crisis and famine has sparked widespread public outrage, as the Sudanese people endure catastrophic living conditions.