Is Sudan entering a new era of regional diplomacy?

Sudan’s Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan traveled to Ankara in June 2024, receiving full head-of-state honors during his visit with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The meeting underscored Sudan’s strategic pivot toward Turkey as a critical partner in wartime and post-war recovery efforts, contrasting with the civilian-led government’s earlier distancing from Ankara after the 2019 revolution. The visit marks a revival of bilateral relations, which had weakened under the transitional administration’s focus on Western and regional allies. Sudan’s leadership now prioritizes pragmatic diplomacy, leveraging Turkey’s growing influence in Africa—particularly its security and defense cooperation model—to address reconstruction and institutional rebuilding needs. Recent battlefield gains by Sudan’s Armed Forces, including control over key areas in Khartoum and Gezira State, have bolstered Khartoum’s confidence in pursuing diplomatic initiatives. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), despite external support, have struggled to achieve decisive victories, further shifting the conflict’s dynamics into a regional proxy confrontation. Turkey’s expanded role in Africa, particularly its ‘Somali model’ of military training and defense collaboration, aligns with Sudan’s post-war priorities. Cooperation in defense technology, security sector reform, and economic reconstruction could define future ties between the two nations. Analysts note that Sudan’s diplomatic outreach aims to translate military successes into long-term political and economic stability. The Ankara visit reflects Khartoum’s broader strategy to secure international partnerships capable of shaping its future amid prolonged conflict.