Sudan wants to save its economy thanks to normalization of relations with Israel

A market in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital (illustrative image).

AP Photo / Hussein Malla

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3 min

The normalization of relations between Sudan and Israel is advancing slowly and dividing Sudanese society.

On Sunday, Khartoum announced upcoming talks between the Sudanese and Israelis with a view to reaching a broad agreement laying the foundations for their future cooperation.

But Sudan, whose economy is failing, needs help in return.

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With our regional correspondent,

Sébastien Németh

Normalization with Israel is on track.

On Sunday, the Sudanese foreign minister announced that delegations from the two countries would meet in the coming weeks to negotiate agreements.

Cooperation will focus on agriculture, aviation, trade and immigration, explained Omar Gamar-Eddin.

Relieve debt and send food

At the same time, Khartoum is already starting to see the fruits

of this

developing

rapprochement

.

According to the Sudanese minister, the United States must work with its partners to relieve Sudan of its foreign debt of 60 billion dollars.

Omar Gamar-Eddin also indicated that Israel should help the Sudanese to consolidate their democracy, their food security and to fight terrorism, without saying more.

The Israeli Prime Minister's office, for its part, announced on Sunday the immediate dispatch, "

 to our Sudanese friends, 

" he said, of a shipment of wheat equivalent to 5 million dollars.

This is the first commercial transaction between the two countries in more than half a century.

The Sudanese news agency revealed that the United Arab Emirates, which recognized Israel two months ago, had already sent 67,000 tonnes of wheat.

Discussions with WFP for an additional 40,000 tonnes are reportedly underway.


However, one wonders when and how normalization with Israel will be officially endorsed.

Several personalities, including Prime Minister Hamdok, for example want the procedure to go through the Assembly.

However, the institution is still not formed.

►Also listen: Africa economy - Sudan fails to get its head out of the water

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  • Sudan

  • Israel

  • Diplomacy

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