Qatari-Turkish and Saudi-Emirati alliance: Struggle for influence in Sudan

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of the confrontation between the Qatari-Turkish and Saudi Emirati blocs for influence in the Republic of Sudan. It was found out that in addition to the traditional struggle for the promotion of interests between Saudi Arabia and Iran in Sudan, a new player appeared in the geopolitical arena in the person of Qatar and Turkey. The Qatari-Turkish bloc was particularly active in strengthening its positions during the events of the "Arab Spring", provoking a reaction from Saudi Arabia and its ally, the United Arab Emirates. To weaken Turkish-Qatari-Sudanese relations, the Saudi-Emirati bloc provided financial and material assistance to Khartoum, which was in a difficult socio-economic situation as a result of the secession of South Sudan. However, the efforts of Saudi Arabia and the UAE did not lead to the desired result and forced them to resort to more decisive actions. As a result of sabotage by the military and economic elites supported by the Saudi-Emirati bloc in the spring of 2019, the thirty-year-old Sudanese regime of O. al-Bashir was overthrown. The military elite came to power, which managed to ease the socio-economic tension in the country. Financial and military assistance from Riyadh and Abu Dhabi played an important role in this. The fall of the regime of O. al-Bashir dealt a serious blow to the positions of Qatar and Turkey in Sudan, simultaneously strengthening the Saudi-Emirati positions. Despite this, Qatar and Turkey have not lost hope of restoring their influence in Sudan and continue to try to establish diplomatic, financial, military and cultural relations.