Iran and Sudan sign historic agreement to restore diplomatic ties
On October 9, 2023, Iran and Sudan announced the reopening of their respective embassies and the restoration of diplomatic relations. This agreement marks the end of a seven-year period of tensions between the two countries and opens the way to strengthened cooperation.
Relations between Iran and Sudan deteriorated in 2016, when the Saudi embassy in Iran was ransacked. Sudan then chose to side with Saudi Arabia. However, recent events have led to a rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, paving the way for reconciliation between Sudan and Iran.
According to Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali al-Sadiq, this rapprochement between the two countries is the result of several months of negotiations and high-level communications. Both sides expressed their commitment to deepening ties and promoting regional stability.
Iran has long been a key ally for Sudan. In the 1990s and 2000s, Tehran supplied arms to the Sudanese government, which in turn used its territory as a hub to arm groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. This new agreement will strengthen this military and security cooperation between the two countries.
The restoration of diplomatic relations between Iran and Sudan is also strategically important for General al-Burhan, head of the Sudanese army and chairman of the Transitional Council. By allying with Iran, it strengthens its position in the conflict which has pitted it against General Hemedti and the Rapid Support Forces since April 2023.
This new agreement also marks an important step in Sudan’s political and economic normalization process. After years of conflict and international isolation, Sudan is seeking to revitalize its economy and strengthen its relations with the international community. The rapprochement with Iran offers new opportunities in terms of trade and investment for Sudan.
In conclusion, the reopening of diplomatic relations between Iran and Sudan is a major turning point in the international relations of these two countries. This paves the way for closer cooperation in different areas, from security to economics. Reconciliation between these two key regional players could also help strengthen the region’s stability.