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Hemedti to Asharq Al-Awsat: Normalizing Ties with Israel is a Gain for Sudan

Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council in Sudan Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Asharq Al-Awsat
Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council in Sudan Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Asharq Al-Awsat
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Hemedti to Asharq Al-Awsat: Normalizing Ties with Israel is a Gain for Sudan

Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council in Sudan Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Asharq Al-Awsat
Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council in Sudan Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Asharq Al-Awsat

The Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council in Sudan, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti, confirmed on Tuesday that the country’s decision to normalize ties with Israel stems from a national conviction.

Hemedti, in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, denied the presence of foreign pressure on Khartoum, laying to rest claims that the US had blackmailed the North African state into normalizing relations with Tel Aviv.

Sudan’s historic commitment and stance towards the Palestinian cause does not prohibit its establishment of ties with Israel, Hemedti said, adding that the boycott has been worthless and did not benefit anyone.

“There is no enmity between us and Israel, and no war,” he stated.

“There is no Muslim or Arab army fighting to stand in solidarity with, this means that the boycott is worthless as a weapon,” Hemedti said, emphasizing that Sudan will “reap the fruits of peace and communication with Israel.”

Speaking about the public opinion on normalizing ties with Israel, Hemedti confirmed that 90% of the Sudanese people support the move.

He, however, highlighted that Sudan backs the Palestinian right to a sovereign state.

As for Arab resolutions that press for rejecting Israel on all levels, Hemedti said that “The Three No’s,” established at the 1967 Arab League summit, “did not benefit Sudan in anything.”

That summit is famous for its Khartoum Resolution known as "The Three No's"; No peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, no negotiations with Israel.

“We are working to reconcile with the whole world and Israel is a part of it,” Hemedti affirmed.

“Sudan has suffered from international isolation for more than 27 years, due to it being listed by the US as a terror sponsoring state,” he explained.

On the war in Darfur, Hemedti said that it constitutes “a revolt against the state.”

He held the state accountable for the crimes committed, but denied it having carried out any ethnic cleansing campaigns.

As the head of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), an amalgamation of Sudanese paramilitary forces operated by the government, Hemedti said that the RSF will eventually merge with the Sudanese army according to a peace deal between the state and armed factions.

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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), told Asharq al-Awsat that global hunger increased sharply during the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the GCC countries were able to shield themselves from major shocks affecting food security.
Laborde added that global hunger affected over 152 million people, with no improvement in the past two years.
Today, 733 million people suffer from chronic hunger, and 2.3 billion face food insecurity, according to the UN annual report on “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.”

Laborde explained that the global economic crisis has worsened food insecurity, keeping hunger levels high.
Alongside this, climate shocks and conflicts are major causes of hunger. He also pointed out that food insecurity is closely tied to inequality, and the economic crisis, rising living costs, and high interest rates are deepening existing inequalities both within and between countries.
On whether economic diversification in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is boosting food security, Laborde said: “A move towards a more diversified economy and enhancing the ability to rely on various sources of food supplies are key drivers of food security resilience and stability.”
“GCC countries have managed to shield themselves from major shocks, primarily due to their high income levels and ability to cover import costs without difficulty,” he explained.
Regarding the FAO’s outlook on reducing global hunger, Laborde insisted that ending hunger will require a significant increase in funding.
When asked for suggestions on how governments could enhance food security, Laborde said: “Despite global figures remaining stable, improvements are seen in Asia and Latin America, showing that the right policies and conditions can reduce numbers.”
“Hunger is not inevitable. Investing in social safety nets to protect the poor, along with making structural changes to food systems to be more environmentally friendly, resilient, and equitable, is the right path forward,” emphasized Laborde.
The annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, published on Wednesday, said about 733 million people faced hunger in 2023 – one in 11 people globally and one in five in Africa.
Hunger and food insecurity present critical challenges affecting millions globally.
The annual report, released this year during the G20 Global Alliance for Hunger and Poverty Task Force ministerial meeting in Brazil, warns that the world is significantly lagging in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2—ending hunger by 2030.
It highlights that global progress has regressed by 15 years, with malnutrition levels comparable to those seen in 2008-2009.
Despite some progress in areas like stunting and exclusive breastfeeding, a troubling number of people still face food insecurity and malnutrition, with global hunger levels rising.