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Sudan, Iran exchange ambassadors mending years of severed ties

Author: Chany Ninrew | Published: July 22, 2024

Sudan and Iran normalize relations. (Photo: SUNA).

Sudan and Iran have exchanged ambassadors in fulfilment of commitment to restore diplomatic relations which the two countries pledged in October last year, according to state-owned Sudan News Agency (SUNA.)

On Sunday, the President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council (TSC) General Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, received the credentials of the new Iranian ambassador, Hassan Shah Hosseini, in Port Sudan.

Sudan’s Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, in a press statement, that the Iranian ambassador was warmly welcomed by TSC President Al-Burhan, who stressed the strength of relations between Khartoum and Tehran.

General Al-Burhan said that the ambassador’s submission of his credentials “marks the beginning of a new phase in the process of bilateral relations between the two countries.”

In October 2023, the Sudanese foreign ministry announced that both countries agreed to normalize their ties based on “mutual respect for sovereignty”, after seven years of hostile diplomacy.

The Iranian ambassador Shah Hosseini said that submitting his credentials came within the framework of the consensus between the two countries regarding the exchange of ambassadors and the promotion of bilateral relations.

He thanked junta leader Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan for accepting his credentials, stressing that he will spare no effort to strengthen cooperation, while noting his country supports national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sudan, SUNA reported.

The normalization of relations with Iran comes two months after the Sudanese army – currently losing territories in its war with paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, agreed a series of military and economic agreements with Russia that will grant the latter access to the Red Sea.

In 2016, Sudan under the rule of former President Omer Al-Bashir severed relations with Iran, accusing Tehran of posing a threat to regional stability after an attack on Saudi Arabia.

Following the diplomatic break, Sudan decided to join the Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia to combat Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are funded by Iran.

The Iran-aligned Houthis have been targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea region since November 2023 – in what they say are attacks in solidarity with Palestinian Arabs in Gaza.

In the wake of the uptick in Houthi attacks, the US formed a coalition, made up of more than 20 countries, aimed at safeguarding commercial traffic in the Red Sea from attacks by the Houthis.

The conflict in the Red Sea is seen as a major factor hurting both Sudan and South Sudan’s chief crude oil exports as the Houthi attacks scare away buyers, according to South Sudan officials.

 

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