Sudan's Foreign Ministry announced it will move forward to normalize full diplomatic ties with Israel, following a visit earlier Thursday by the Israeli foreign minister to the Sudanese capital.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
During his one-day visit to Khartoum, Eli Cohen met with various Sudanese political figures including Sudan's ruling general, Abdel-Fattah Burhan, according to Sudan's state media outlet, SUNA. This was the first public visit by an Israeli cabinet member ever.
In a statement published after Cohen's departure, Sudan's Foreign Ministry said: "It was agreed to move forward toward the normalization of relations between the two countries.'' Upon returning to Israel, Cohen said the two countries would seek to sign a full-fledged peace accord by the year's end, noting that this would be in the form of "peace for peace."
"The agreement will help the economy, as well as bolster security and tourism in both countries," Cohen said. "I hope that this year will bring good news; the Sudanese want it and as soon as they complete their internal process, the accord will be signed, it will be quick," Cohen added during his press conference at Ben-Gurion International Airport upon his return.
Israel Hayom has learned that the US has made it clear that it would support such a development only after Khatroum's military rulers complete their handover of powers to a civilian government.
In 2020, Sudan stated that it would join Morocco, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates as part of the US-brokered "Abraham Accords" to establish full diplomatic ties.
With Sudan, however, the process stalled amid widespread popular opposition in Sudan. A military coup in October 2021 then deposed Sudan's government, upending the African country's fragile democratic transition.
In its statement, the Sudanese ministry added that the talks aimed to strengthen cooperation in various sectors, including security and military. It also spoke of a need to achieve ″stability between Israel and the Palestinian people″ in light of a recent surge in violence.
However, three Sudanese military officials told the Associated Press that full normalization of ties will not be achieved anytime soon. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the talks with reporters.
Behind-the-scenes talks have been ongoing between Israeli and Sudanese military and intelligence officials, one of the three military officials said, without providing further details. In early 2022, Sudan's ruling general, Abdel-Fattah Burhan, publicly defended past meetings between Israeli and Sudanese officials, saying intelligence sharing helped lead to the arrests of suspected militants in Sudan.
During his visit, Cohen also met with Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who commands the Rapid Support Forces, the country's largest paramilitary group, the officials added.
There was no immediate comment from Israel. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to hint that something was in the works before flying to France earlier on Thursday. "We are continuing to expand the circle of peace," he said, noting that Chad, which borders Sudan, opened a new embassy in Israel earlier in the day.
"We will continue to expand and deepen the circle of peace with additional countries, both near and far," added Netanyahu, who returned to office in December. During his previous 12-year term as premier, his government made it a priority to forge ties with formerly hostile countries in Africa and the Arab world.
A new breakthrough with Sudan could help Netanyahu deflect attention from a recent burst of violence with Palestinians and widespread public anger over his plans to overhaul the country's judicial system – which critics say will badly damage Israel's democratic system of checks and balances.
Although Sudan does not have the influence or wealth of Gulf Arab countries, a deal with the African country – even as it is mired in a deep political and economic crisis – would be deeply significant for Israel.
Sudan was once one of Israel's fiercest critics in the Arab world and in 1993, the US designated it a state sponsor of terrorism. The Trump administration removed Sudan from that list in 2020, a move meant to help the country revive its battered economy and end its pariah status, and an incentive to normalize relations with Israel.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
