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Israel delegation visits Sudan to discuss normalisation deal

Israel FM in Sudan to improve ties

February 2, 2023 at 4:00 pm

An Israeli delegation has arrived in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, to discuss the normalisation of ties between the two countries, two Sudanese government sources said on Thursday, Reuters reports.

The trip was part of an exchange of visits between Sudan and Israel and involved discussion on reaching and signing a normalisation deal, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Sudan agreed to take steps to normalise ties with Israel in a 2020 deal brokered by former US President Donald Trump’s administration, alongside normalisation agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco.

There was no immediate comment from Israeli officials, but Foreign Minister Eli Cohen’s office said he would, in the evening, convene a news conference “upon his return from an historic state visit”. It did not elaborate.

READ: Sudan military leader congratulates Netanyahu on election victory

As Intelligence Minister in 2021, Cohen made a ground-breaking visit to Sudan.

Sudan’s military, which has been in charge of the country since a 2021 coup but says it intends to hand over power to a civilian government, is seen as having led the move towards establishing relations with Israel.

Civilian groups have been more reluctant, and have previously said any deal must be ratified by a transitional parliament that is yet to be formed.

READ: Intelligence firm owned by ex-Israel officer supplied Sudan militia with surveillance tech