For Gulf States, dictatorship is better than anarchy in Khartoum
Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt continue to support Sudan’s military junta even after its crackdown on peaceful protest caused more than 100 deaths. The Sudanese military is engaged in the ongoing war in Yemen alongside the Saudis.
Beirut (AsiaNews) – For Gulf States, in particular Saudi Arabia, dictatorship is better than anarchy. For this reason, they continue to support General Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan, even in the aftermath of the violent crackdown by the army on Monday against protesters that killed 108 people and wounded another 500.
“The regional experience has taught us that the orderly and conservative transition of the state and its institutions is the only way to avoid years of chaos and loss,” said Anwar Gargash, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and one of the region’s most influential men.
The shadow of the pro-Riyadh axis, which includes Saudi Arabia, UAE and Egypt, slammed hard on Sudan’s democratic aspirations.
Significantly, General Abdelrahman Burhan visited Cairo and Abu Dhabi in recent days, whilst the Sudanese army remains involved in the ongoing war in Yemen alongside the Saudis.
In late April, the Gulf States and Saudi Arabia announced a joint assistance plan of US$ 3 billion to “dedicated to support the people of Sudan, across food, medicines, and fuel derivatives,” Saudi Arabia’s SPA news agency reported.
The ties between Sudan and the Gulf States are not new. Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar had good relations with Omar al-Bashir, Sudan’s dictator who was deposed on 11 April.
Under Saudi pressure, he broke off diplomatic relations with Iran. And in 2015 he sent Sudanese forces to Yemen.
Ending such foreign involvement is one of the demands by protesters, who also criticised the Gulf States and Egypt as well as Saudi aid.
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21/10/2021 17:59
08/01/2005
