Daily Alert Archives

Sudan: Expanding the Tent of the Abraham Accords

(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Dr. Yechiel M. Leiter - In his February 2, 2023, meeting with the Sudanese ruler, Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, in Khartoum, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen finalized the text of a formal peace agreement between the two countries. Sudan's full entry into the Abraham Accords is a powerful symbolic statement of the rejection of Arab rejectionism, as exemplified in the Khartoum Resolution of September 1, 1967, which declared the "Three Nos": "no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, no negotiations with it." Growing normalization with Israel will significantly augment military cooperation between the two countries. In addition, it will strengthen intelligence gathering and sharing capabilities and empower the Sudanese military to contend with and ultimately curtail the arms trafficking running through its ports and territorial waters. Agriculture remains a critical sector of Sudan's economy, with almost 80% of its citizens engaging in subsistence farming. Food insecurity is of paramount concern, as food scarcity and severe malnutrition threaten the country's economic autonomy and social stability. Israel excels in agricultural innovation and is eager to export its technologies that can change the food production paradigm of Sudan and help guarantee food security for millions of Sudanese. There are those in the West who want any normalization with Sudan to be contingent on the country's complete transition to civilian governance. This is a mistake. Cultures differ, as do the historical processes of political development. The differences should be respected. The will for democracy is admirable and should be supported, but full democratization is a process that requires care and common sense. Sudan is a country slowly weaving its way to democracy. It is happening because its military leaders want it to happen and are carrying it in that direction. They have hoisted the flag of cooperation and reconciliation. The writer is Director-General of the Jerusalem Center.
2023-02-23 00:00:00
Full Article