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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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Russian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Mining Concessions Dependent on Ukraine Talks Progress

Alexander Ionov, a member of Russia’s Human Rights Council under President Vladimir Putin (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Alexander Ionov, a member of Russia’s Human Rights Council under President Vladimir Putin (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Russian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Mining Concessions Dependent on Ukraine Talks Progress

Alexander Ionov, a member of Russia’s Human Rights Council under President Vladimir Putin (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Alexander Ionov, a member of Russia’s Human Rights Council under President Vladimir Putin (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Amid statements made by US President Donald Trump regarding the future of agreements brokered by Riyadh over the Russia-Ukraine crisis, a Russian official has expressed Moscow's readiness to make concessions on certain raw materials and mining activities under US negotiation.

However, the official linked these concessions to the outcomes of talks in Riyadh.

Alexander Ionov, a member of Russia’s Human Rights Council under President Vladimir Putin, revealed that the Russian side supports establishing relations with the US.

According to Ionov, Russia is willing to make concessions on certain raw materials and mining activities, but everything depends on the negotiations concerning Ukraine.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Ionov pointed out that if progress is made in US-Russia understandings on Ukraine, and results are seen regarding the lifting of sanctions, that could potentially be the key to establishing normal, positive relations.

However, so far, Trump’s rhetoric remains purely political, with no concrete steps taken.

Regarding the potential inclusion of European Union countries in Ukraine-related negotiations at some stage, Ionov said that the negotiations are progressing, but the Ukrainian side is seeking to garner European support and set its own terms, which conflict with the views of both Russia and the US.

The White House is frustrated with Kyiv’s rhetoric, and Trump’s team is exerting significant pressure.

Ionov continued to say that everyone is waiting for the Black Sea agreement, reached by the Russian and US delegations, to come into effect.

However, it’s clear that this deal will only be effective after a ceasefire. In the meantime, Kyiv is losing territory, while Russia has liberated the Kursk region.

According to Ionov, European countries are eager to join the negotiation process, but for obvious reasons, they cannot be full participants. They support the Ukrainian scenario of autonomy, which means maintaining Ukraine’s territory as it stood in 1991.

He pointed out that leaders from many countries, especially France and the UK, have called for NATO peacekeeping forces to be deployed in Ukraine.

This is unacceptable to Russia, affirmed Ionov.

In general, we see an aggressive stance from European leaders who are willing to continue investing in this direction.

Ionov believes that US President Donald Trump wants to expedite the signing of a peace agreement on the Ukraine conflict, as he sees it as part of his election campaign.

However, the EU and Ukraine are slowing down the process, coupled with significant tensions in negotiations between the US and Russian delegations, with little progress made.

On the effectiveness of sanctions imposed on Russia, Ionov argued that Trump should find the real culprit in this whole matter, rather than threaten to impose restrictions on Russian oil.

In general, this will not have much impact on Russia’s economy, as the main consumers of Russian raw materials are not in the West, but in the East, confirmed Ionov.

Additionally, Russia has much greater influence over OPEC than the US. Saudi Arabia is actively cooperating with Russia and Venezuela on the oil market, and the US can do little about it at this point.

In reality, the Russian side supports building relations with the US, and it is willing to make concessions on certain raw materials and mining activities. But everything depends on the negotiations concerning Ukraine.

As for Saudi- Russian relations, Ionov reaffirmed that Russia engages with the Saudi people with warmth and kindness. Much work is being done at the official level, as Saudi Arabia is a key partner for Russia in the Middle East, he added.

Russian-Saudi cooperation shows a shared effort in developing the regional security framework, as well as advancing projects in humanitarian cooperation.

Ionov hoped the Kingdom will continue its efforts in developing joint energy projects with Russia and will participate in the BRICS alliance.