Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone conversation today with Sudan’s Sovereign Council Chairman General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, offering to mediate the escalating tensions between Sudan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This proposal comes just days after Erdogan brokered an agreement between Ethiopia and Somalia, aimed at resolving a dispute stemming from Ethiopia’s deal with Somaliland, a self-declared region separate from Somalia.
During the call, Erdogan conveyed Turkey’s readiness to mediate, emphasizing Ankara’s commitment to Sudan’s peace and territorial integrity. “Turkey’s core principles include fostering peace and stability in Sudan, preserving its sovereignty, and preventing the country from becoming a battleground for foreign interventions,” Erdogan stated, according to a communication released by the Turkish presidency.
Accusations and Denials
Sudan’s government has accused the UAE of supplying arms to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), prolonging the ongoing conflict in the country. The UAE has denied these allegations, instead accusing Sudan’s government of refusing to negotiate for peace.
The conflict in Sudan erupted in mid-April 2023 following escalating tensions between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF. The violence has since spread beyond Khartoum to regions such as Darfur, displacing over 13 million people.
Turkey’s Expanding Mediation Role
Erdogan’s offer to mediate follows a high-level meeting in Ankara earlier this week with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The meeting concluded with a joint statement affirming Somalia’s territorial unity while acknowledging the potential economic benefits of granting Ethiopia access to the sea. The parties agreed to launch technical talks to resolve their territorial dispute.
Ethiopia’s January memorandum of understanding with Somaliland, which includes leasing coastal land to establish a naval base in exchange for Ethiopian recognition of Somaliland’s independence, has been a flashpoint in Ethiopian-Somali relations. Somalia insists the agreement violates its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
A Fragile Region
Turkey’s recent diplomatic efforts highlight its ambition to play a key role in resolving conflicts across the Horn of Africa and beyond. Whether Ankara’s mediation can ease tensions between Sudan and the UAE, or between Ethiopia and Somalia, remains uncertain, as the region grapples with overlapping disputes and external influences.
Erdogan’s efforts reflect Turkey’s broader strategy to position itself as a peace broker in a region marred by long-standing rivalries and ongoing crises.
