Post: #1
Title: Embattled Sudanese leader says he was advised to normalize ties with Israel
Author: محمود الدقم
Date: 03-01-2019, 11:02 PM
10:02 PM March, 01 2019 سودانيز اون لاين
محمود الدقم-
مكتبتى
رابط مختصر
Omar al-Bashir quoted talking of improved ties with the Jewish state helping stabilize growing anti-government unrest sweeping Sudan
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said Thursday he was advised to normalize ties with Israel in a bid to help to stabilize the growing domestic unrest that is threatening his iron-fisted rule of the country.
Bashir made the remarks during a meeting with Sufi leaders in the capital Khartoum held to discuss the violence and clashes throughout Sudan in recent weeks that have seen at least 19 protesters killed, according to Turkey’s Andalou Agency.
The president did not specify who gave him the advice, but told the religious leaders he believed that “sustenance is in the hands of God,” according to the report.
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The Thursday meeting comes after nearly two weeks of clashes that initially began in protest of rising bread prices but have rapidly evolved into anti-government rallies. The rallies have grown across Sudan in recent weeks, with at least 19 anti-government protesters killed. Human Rights group Amnesty International said 34 protesters have been killed in that time, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an investigation into the violence.
Israel has long been wary of Sudan, which was traditionally seen as close to Iran. However, in early 2017, Khartoum joined Sunni Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in severing its ties with the Islamic Republic.
The country has also appeared to make overtures toward Israel. Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour said in a 2016 interview that Sudan was open to the idea of normalizing ties with Israel in exchange for lifting US sanctions on Khartoum. According to Hebrew-language media reports at the time, Israeli diplomats tried to drum up support for Sudan in the international community after it severed its ties to Tehran.
The Thursday meeting comes after nearly two weeks of clashes that initially began in protest of rising bread prices but have rapidly evolved into anti-government rallies. The rallies have grown across Sudan in recent weeks, with at least 19 anti-government protesters killed. Human Rights group Amnesty International said 34 protesters have been killed in that time, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an investigation into the violence.
Israel has long been wary of Sudan, which was traditionally seen as close to Iran. However, in early 2017, Khartoum joined Sunni Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in severing its ties with the Islamic Republic.
The Time Of Isreal Newspaper*
04/01/2019
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