UAE welcomes Turkish mediation in Sudan conflict

December 28, 2024 (ABU DHABI) – The United Arab Emirates welcomed Turkey’s efforts to mediate the Sudan conflict on Saturday. It said it was ready to cooperate with Ankara to find a solution to end the ongoing war there.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement came after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan offered to mediate the dispute between the UAE and Sudan on December 13.

Sudan has accused the UAE of supplying weapons to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) via Chad and has lodged complaints with the UN Security Council and the African Union. The UAE has not publicly responded to the accusations.

“The UAE is ready to cooperate and coordinate with Turkey and all diplomatic efforts to end the conflict and find a comprehensive solution to the crisis,” the ministry said.

It reiterated its support for a ceasefire and addressing the humanitarian crisis. It said it was working with regional partners and the international community to find a peaceful solution and launch a Sudanese-led dialogue.

The ministry stressed the importance of negotiations to end the conflict, secure a political process and achieve national consensus towards a civilian-led government.

The statement followed a meeting on December 25 in Abu Dhabi between UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, during which they discussed enhancing cooperation and regional stability.

On December 26, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Youssef al-Sharif said Erdogan’s mediation offer would have a “positive impact” on his country.

Sharif told Anadolu Agency that Turkey had shown an understanding of the situation in Sudan. He also said that while the Jeddah peace talks, sponsored by Saudi Arabia and the United States, were focused on humanitarian aspects, the RSF had not committed to implementing the outcomes of the talks.