Opinion by Adisa M. Lachgar
On Monday, February 6th, a group of Sudanese citizens gathered in the capital city of Khartoum to protest against the normalization of diplomatic relations with Israel.
The protest was a response to the recent visit of the Israeli Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, and the announcement made by Sudanese and Israeli officials that the two countries were moving toward normalizing ties. This is a significant step forward for both nations and for the region as a whole, as it marks a shift toward peace and stability.
Israel has long been a leader in innovation, technology, and economic development, and for Sudan, stabilize relationships will mean increased access to free trade, and investment opportunities. This will help to boost the country’s economy and improve the lives of its citizens.
Moreover, this move also has the potential to contribute to the stability and peace in the region. Israel has long been at the forefront of efforts to bring peace and stability to the Middle East. It is also worth mentioning Israel is a world leader in cybersecurity, water technology, and renewable energy and this challenge could be a huge boon for Sudan, which has struggled with economic challenges in recent years.
Noteworthy this move towards normalization with Israel is part of a larger trend in the region. In 2020, Sudan announced its plans to establish diplomatic ties with Israel as part of the US-brokered Abraham Accords. This landmark agreement, which was brokered by the former US President Donald Trump’s administration, has already led to improved relations between Israel and other nations in the region. Specifically, the establishment of relations with Sudan ends 75 years of hostility with the essential element that in recent years, relations between Khartoum and Tehran have deteriorated and rapprochement with Jerusalem has become possible. Indeed, before the signing of the Abraham Accords, the United States removed the new Sudanese regime from the terrorist list.
The protest in Khartoum should not detract from the importance of the normalization of relations between Israel and Sudan. This move marks a significant step towards peace, stability, and economic development for both nations, and it is likely to be just the beginning of a trend towards improved relations between Israel and other nations in the region. By establishing closer ties with Israel, the country will be able to tap into this expertise and leverage it to drive economic development and improve the lives of its citizens.
The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author.
They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the AMeAR|News, R2iNTEL or its members.