Sudan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Haidar Badawi Sadiq today told Sky News in Arabic that Khartoum is conducting talks with Jerusalem, stating that Sudan “aspires toward a peace agreement with Israel … a relationship of equals built upon Khartoum’s interests.” Sadiq noted that both countries "will gain from a peace agreement," adding, "We look at an agreement of this kind through the interests of Sudan without sacrificing our values and principles." Sadiq also hailed the Israel-United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreement as “courageous.”
The Aug. 13 announcement on Israel and UAE normalizing relations generated a swirl of rumors, with the Israeli press busy guessing which Arab/Muslim country would be next in line for renewal or establishment of ties. Sudanese and Israeli officials hinted that both countries are viewing a similar rapprochement. On Aug. 16, Israel's Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen said Bahrain and Oman could soon follow the UAE in recognizing the State of Israel, adding, "In my assessment, there is a chance that already in the coming year there will be a peace deal with additional countries in Africa, chief among them Sudan." The statement today by Khartoum pushes Sudan to the top of the rapprochement list.
