Sudanese Finance Minister highlights commitment to strengthen relations with Türkiye

KHARTOUM

Sudanese Finance Minister Gibril Ibrahim affirmed Saturday his government’s commitment to enhancing relations with Türkiye at all levels, particularly in the economic sector.

A statement came during a meeting between Ibrahim and Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Burhanettin Duran in Port Sudan, according to the Sudanese Ministry of Finance.

It noted that both sides agreed on the necessity of convening the Joint Ministerial Committee during the first half of the year and working to strengthen cooperation in energy, agriculture, trade and other economic sectors.

The statement said Ibrahim highlighted the "significance of the prompt resumption of Turkish Airlines operations in Sudan."

He expressed his gratitude for the "humanitarian aid provided by Türkiye to Sudan during the ongoing war" and welcomed Türkiye’s initiative to achieve peace in Sudan.

On Dec. 13, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, that Türkiye could also step in to resolve tensions between Sudan and the United Arab Emirates.

Sudan has been ravaged by fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023.

The fighting has resulted in more than 20,000 deaths and displaced over 14 million people, according to estimates from the UN and local authorities.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala