03:08 PM March, 04 2016 Sudanese Online
Øسين اركو مناوى-
My Library
Short URL
For more than two decades the common spirit between Sudan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has never exceeded the limits of a shrinking Economic and Cultural relation and shaky Diplomatic ties. The apex of tension between the two countries was at the time of the Gulf turmoil, when Sudan had missed the access of harvesting fruit of the Gulf Geopolitics Conflict and instead supported Iraq for its crimes in Kuwait, and since then Sudan kept begging for military support at regional level from Iraq and Iran or internationally from China and Russia to counter the internal peripheral wars of the Sudan.
The recent developments in the volatile Middle East is likely to make a very big change by creating a new equation in the region . Russia has become a fresh key player in the Middle East against Saudi interests while Iran is gaining further ground in the region after the International Community has lifted the sanctions from the Islamic Republic in exchange for freezing its nuclear program. This development is not only a nightmare to Saudi Arabia but it also going to make a very negative impact on the prospective peace process in Sudan.
Sudan Tribune and some local newspapers in Sudan have disclosed a short visit of Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister to Khartoum on Feb 22 . Though the visit was the first in its kind by a high- ranking Saudi official to Sudan since long time, it seems a highly confidential visit and presumably ended up with serious security deals. Yet no sufficient evidence that can materialize the size of the military deal been concluded between the two countries other than the information leaked by Sudan Tribune and local media in Khartoum about a military deal of multi billion dollars. But, what confirms such a deal is that, the recent Military rapprochement between the two States following the declaration of war on Houthi fighters in Yemen made the Kingdom pump a considerable amount of dollars to the Sudan Treasury, it is likely earmarked for Sudanese Soldiers fighting in Yemen with Saudi forces.
The security situation of each of the two countries is exceptionally critical, Sudan already crippled for a long time by internal wars، and since long time also in Saudi Arabia fears started growing about the regional ambitions of the Islamic Republic of Iran to extent that the ruling family in the Kingdom began feeling as if the noose is tightening round their necks due to the strong presence of Iranian influence around the Kingdom in Yemen, Bahrain, Iraq, Lebanon and Syria as well as the explicit Russian intervention in the Middle East conflict in favor of Bashar Al Asad Regime in Syria.
Saudi Arabia has the money and large military Arsenal but in desperate need of some one who provides it with men to fight on its behalf , while Sudan is in dire need of money and weapons, willing to exchange men from Sudan for money to fight as mercenaries for the Saudi Arabia. Ironically, it was chance alone did bring the interests of the two regimes together, but unfortunately this will be at the expense of already the war torn civilians in Darfur, Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile.
In this atmosphere of tension, Saudi Arabia began knocking every door in search of allies who can back it up in its adversity, and at the same time Sudan was very keen not to miss this golden opportunity again. Whatever desires of the two countries to achieve their objectives, if such a deal is completed it will be a real threat to International peace and security and it is a moral obligation to the International community not to turn a blind eye to the bitter reality of KhartoumÅ› connection to military support of some countries. Saudi Arabia is also quite aware the risk of supplying Sudan with military aid, because the Kingdom for a quite long time been close to the efforts of regional and international bodies to bring to an end the violations committed against humanity in Darfur and other war affected areas in Sudan.
The war in Darfur and other areas on the margin of Sudan has already claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands and more than two millions were displaced. It is the longest war of genocide that cost human lives and cost a lot the International community as well to put it to an end, yet no a glimmer of hope for achieving peace in Sudan in foreseeable future if some members of the International community continue providing military support to sudan, this surely increases KhartoumÅ› appetite to kill more civilians rather than encourages it to sign any peace deal. In spite of numerous UN Security Council resolutions banning military support to Sudan, the flow of weapons to Sudan is in increase especially from China and Russia and that is why the Regime in Khartoum is insisting on military solution and no doubt the new position of Saudi Arabia will exacerbate the situation if it decided to back up Sudan militarily by such big money.
In the period between 2005 to 2016 the UN Security Council issued at least 13 resolutions on Darfur conflict in attempt to reach to a peaceful settlement in the region, the latest of which is the resolution NO 2265 of 15/02/2016, which provides on the control of weapons in Sudan in accordance with Chapter 7 of the charter of the United Nations. So as not to prolong the war in Darfur, it's the responsibility of the Security Council to fully apply this resolution against the States that want to support Sudan militarily.
27/02/2016
hamennay@ gmail .com
Topics related to the subject or the author
Sudanese army in control of northern Jebel Marra: colonelDetained journalist rushed to North Darfur hospitalSudan's National Consensus Forces reject Darfur referendumSudan Foreign Ministry summons US diplomat over draft resolutionSudan security releases Islamic State sympathisersStudents call for Darfur referendum boycotSudan said willing to consider normalizing ties with IsraelSouth Sudan, Sudan relations under threat over oil transit feesSudan openly mulling ties with IsraelSudanese jihadist dies in Syria bombingEthiopia, Egypt, Sudan sign historic accord on Renaissance DamVP: Sudan determined to close Darfur campsEthiopia, Egypt, Sudan meet over Renaissance DamSudan’s National Dialogue ‘to be concluded in January’Informal talks between Sudanese govt., SPLM-N start in Addis AbabaEditors of El Tayar, El Sayha held by Sudan securityUmma Party warns for serious food crisis in SudanSudan to cooperate with Germany, UK on migration issuesUnicef reports children starving in eastern SudanHalayeb Triangle dispute to be resolved cordially: Sudanese officialOpposition forces boycott Sudan's National DialogueSudan’s rebels doubt Al Bashir’s motives for amnestySLM-AW not part of Sudan roadmapZuma agrees to visit Sudan after meeting Al BashirAU mediation to meet with Sudan Appeal signatories on FridaySudanese Islamist killed in Sirte fightingSudan requests AU to renew efforts towards lifting of sanctionsSudan’s opposition figure scoffs at the ruling party’s insistence not to take place the national diAU Panel invites Sudan govt., opposition to Addis Ababa Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan sign agreement on Renaissance DamInternational agents behind Arab, African extremismSudan becomes major weapons producerSudan election is 'propaganda', says rebel leaderDarfur displaced invite US Deputy Secretary of State to visit their campsSudan security agents confiscate print runs of 14 newspapersActivists oppose Sudanese govt. officials visit to USAOpposition's symposium stopped by Sudan securityGunmen steal cash from stores in South Darfur capital Sudan: Detained opposition leader hospitalisedAl Bashir’s candidacy humiliation for all Sudanese: Darfur displacedSudan extends MoU of on humanitarian assistance to South Sudan Darfur rebels deny press reports about a peace accordSudan rejects UN request to undo the expulsion of 2 international staffWest Darfur girls’ team wins national basketball cupDarfur rebel leader Minawi sacks commandersSudan dissident confirms authenticity of leaked security documentExplanatory note about the precentage of the power-sharing in South SudanSudan's National Dialogue clinically dead: National Umma PartyDeputy Chairwoman of Umma Party transported to female prison in OmdurmanNew Amnesty International report - Nowhere Safe: Civilians Under Attack in South SudanThe President of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit: Ready to step down for interests of South SudanSouth Sudanese army captures key rebel baseSalva Kiir Mayardit: Ready to step down for interests of South SudanSPLA IS STILL IN CONTROL OF BENTIU AND NASIR9 Sudanese migrants die, 300 rescued in Libya desertPolice seizes large quantities of marihuana in South DarfurSudan opposition suspends parties for joining National DialogueChadian president, Darfur rebels meet in ParisMinawi: Presence of Darfur within Sudan is conditional on self-ruleSouth Sudan army accuses rebels of planning to launch fresh attack, and denies using cluster bombsMbeki asks South Sudan to help Sudan in its campaign for debt relief Kiir committed to resolving dispute with Sudan through dialogueSudan’s SPLM-N signs mine ban: Geneva Call