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Sudan Says Has Demands before Normalizing Ties with Israel

Pompeo on an official visit to Sudan to urge more Arab countries to normalize ties with Israel, following the US-brokered Israel-UAE agreement [AFP]
Pompeo on an official visit to Sudan to urge more Arab countries to normalize ties with Israel, following the US-brokered Israel-UAE agreement [AFP]
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Sudan Says Has Demands before Normalizing Ties with Israel

Pompeo on an official visit to Sudan to urge more Arab countries to normalize ties with Israel, following the US-brokered Israel-UAE agreement [AFP]
Pompeo on an official visit to Sudan to urge more Arab countries to normalize ties with Israel, following the US-brokered Israel-UAE agreement [AFP]

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Sudan in late August ahead of the US elections as part of a regional tour to convince more Arab countries to normalize ties with Israel.

During his visit to Khartoum, Pompeo pledged to lift the country from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, invite major US companies to invest in it and provide financial assistance if it normalizes relations with Israel, Acting Foreign Minister Omar Qamar al-Din told El Tayyar daily newspaper.

“However, Sudan demanded that the US first normalizes Sudan's relations with world countries and provide it with the necessary aid before discussing Sudanese-Israeli relations,” he noted.

The US designated Sudan a state sponsor of terrorism in 1993 over ousted President Omar al-Bashir’s ties with terrorist groups. The designation makes the country ineligible for much-needed debt relief and funding from international institutions and limits potential foreign investment.

However, the US expected that the “weak” country, which faces economic and political challenges and is struggling to return to the world order, would instantly approve the normalization request and raise President Donald Trump’s chances in the elections.

Qamar al-Din pointed out that Head of Sudan’s Sovereign Council Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan presented a list of conditions to Pompeo, who vowed to discuss them with the US and Israeli sides before giving the final response.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok told Pompeo that his government had no mandate to normalize ties with Israel, and that such move would be decided after the transitional period.

The PM also urged the US not to link the issue of lifting Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list with the normalization with Israel request.

Despite Sudan’s announced position, Israeli officials have confirmed ongoing communication between the leaders of Khartoum and Tel Aviv.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quoted by several Israeli newspapers as saying on Tuesday that Sudan, Chad and Oman will normalize relations with Israel after the UAE.

“We are having many more meetings with Arab and Muslim leaders to normalize relations, including Sudan and Oman,” he said.

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Arab World

Al-Aradah Calls for Moving Beyond Past Mistakes, Confronting the Houthis

Major General Sultan Al-Aradah during his meeting with the head and members of the National Bloc of Political Parties (SABA) 
Major General Sultan Al-Aradah during his meeting with the head and members of the National Bloc of Political Parties (SABA) 
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Al-Aradah Calls for Moving Beyond Past Mistakes, Confronting the Houthis

Major General Sultan Al-Aradah during his meeting with the head and members of the National Bloc of Political Parties (SABA) 
Major General Sultan Al-Aradah during his meeting with the head and members of the National Bloc of Political Parties (SABA) 

Yemeni Vice President of the Presidential Leadership Council, Major General Sultan Al-Aradah, has called on Yemeni parties and factions to heal internal divisions, move beyond the mistakes of the past, and support the armed forces in their critical battle against the terrorist Houthi militia.

Al-Aradah stressed that the responsibility of ending the Houthi militia’s rebellion and restoring the state’s hijacked institutions is a major national duty that requires unity from all parties.

Since March 15, the United States has carried out more than 800 strikes on positions held by the Iran-backed group, targeting weapon depots and leaders. The campaign is believed to have killed hundreds of militants and weakened the group’s offensive capabilities by nearly half.

The US military has pledged to continue escalating pressure and dismantling the Houthis’ capabilities as long as they continue to disrupt freedom of navigation. It confirmed conducting 800 strikes since the launch of its operation.

Al-Aradah emphasized that this phase requires collective action to strengthen national unity and to support the armed forces in their decisive battle against the Iran-backed Houthi militia, until the rebellion is ended and the state is restored.

During a meeting on Wednesday evening with the head and members of the National Bloc of Political Parties and Components, the Vice President stressed the need to heal internal divisions, move past yesterday’s mistakes, avoid dwelling on the past, focus on the present and future, reinforce the internal front, strengthen national cohesion, and rise above disputes and rivalries among all national forces and groups.

He also called for amplifying the republican voice in confronting the Houthi rhetoric and its sectarian project, which threatens the state’s existence and tears apart the national fabric. This, he said, must be countered with a unified and responsible political, media, and public discourse that represents the voices and will of all Yemenis and reflects their aspirations to restore their desired state—a homeland that embraces all its people regardless of their affiliations and orientations.

For his part, the head of the National Bloc of Political Parties and Components, Dr. Ahmed bin Dagher, expressed his appreciation for Aradah’s efforts to communicate with political groups, unify their positions, and strengthen national cohesion, while upholding the national principles shared by all Yemenis.

In the same context, the head and members of the National Bloc confirmed during their meeting with US Ambassador to Yemen Steven Fagin that the Houthis refuse to engage in any serious political process. They pointed out that the Houthis have shown no willingness to abandon their coup or implement international resolutions, especially Resolution 2216, which hinders progress toward a comprehensive peaceful solution.

Meanwhile, Fagin stated that the Houthi militia’s repeated targeting of shipping lanes in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean poses a serious threat to regional and international security.