Sudan conflict: Can Türkiye mediate between SAF and RSF?

After succeeding in pushing Ethiopia and Somalia to reach a deal and agreeing to respect one another’s “sovereignty,” Türkiye has turned its attention to the Sudan conflict.

Building on its expanding United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the continued 20-month-long Sudanese war.

The Sudanese war has seen accusations of external interference, with the Sudanese army blaming the UAE for supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), while Egypt backs the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF).

As the war continues in Sudan, nine people were killed and 20 injured in an RSF attack in a hospital in al-Fashir in North Darfur.

In discussing Turkish-Sudanese relations with Sudan’s Sovereign Council leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the Turkish president emphasized Türkiye’s principles of preserving Sudan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Sudan’s Al-Burhan welcomed Türkiye’s mediation efforts and called for increased Turkish investment in Sudan.

And so, what?

Türkiye may be able to resolve the Sudan conflict, as it is currently making strides in the Horn of Africa after several unsuccessful meetings with Somalia and Ethiopia.

Türkiye is also playing a significant role in broader geopolitics, as evidenced by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent visit to Türkiye to discuss stability in Syria.

Also, Türkiye’s involvement in global diplomacy has been evolving. In fact, on December 14, diplomats from Turkey, the U.S., the EU, and Arab nations convened in Jordan to address the Syrian conflict.

Türkiye may be able to resolve the Sudan conflict, as it is currently making strides in the Horn of Africa after several unsuccessful meetings with Somalia and Ethiopia.

Türkiye’s influence has expanded as its mediation role in Africa and the Middle East has grown. Despite the uncertainty of Türkiye’s neutrality, Türkiye, in its geopolitical ambitions, aims to position itself as a key mediator of African conflicts.

Godfred Zina is a freelance journalist and an associate with DefSEC Analytics Africa – a consulting agency specializing in the provision of accurate data and assessments on security, politics, investment, trade, and other risks within Africa. He is based in Accra, Ghana.