Turkey-Sudan relations were addressed at the academic symposium
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Sudan’s transition process and the effects of this process on Turkey-Sudan relations were discussed at the symposium held at Istanbul Ticaret University in cooperation with the Africa Foundation and the Middle East Foundation
The two-day “International Symposium on the Transition Process in Sudan and Turkey-Sudan Relations” was hosted by Istanbul Ticaret University.
The symposium was organized jointly by Istanbul Ticaret University, Africa Foundation and Middle East Foundation under the co-sponsorship of Istanbul Chamber of Commerce and Ziraat Participation Bank.
“THE TRANSITION PROCESS SHOULD BE UTILIZED IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY”
Istanbul Ticaret University Rector Prof. Dr. Yücel Oğurlu made an opening speech at the symposium, and emphasized that Sudan and Turkey have a close relationship based on the historical ties between the two countries since the times of the Ottoman Empire.
At the speech he made in English, Prof. Dr. Oğurlu gave examples of the contacts between the two countries and Turkey’s investments in Sudan, and said: “After South Sudan seceded from the country and gained its independence in 2011, Sudan had to grapple with serious problems and entered a transition period with the departure of Omar al-Bashir from power. I think that this transition period is important and should be utilized in the most effective way for the continuation of relations between Turkey and Sudan and the continuation of friendship.”
Prof. Dr. Oğurlu underlined the importance of the symposium given the current conjuncture, and wished that the event would be beneficial for both countries.
“TURKEY CAN CONDUCT ITS TRADE WITH AFRICAN COUNTRIES THROUGH SUDAN”
In the speech he made at the symposium, Sudan’s former Ambassador to Ankara Mr. Karar Muhammed Altohamy stated that Turkey, even though it has historical and economic ties with Sudan, refrains from being too involved in the political process in Sudan.
Mr. Altohamy noted that even European countries which have no ties to Sudan at all are competing to be involved in the political process in Sudan, and said: “Turkey is still not included in the Friends of Sudan group, yet Sudan is an important country in Africa. Turkey can conduct its trade with African countries through Sudan. Sudanese relations should be given due importance. Hence, it would be expedient to establish a think-tank institution on Turkey-Sudan relations.”
Mr. Altohamy stated that the relations between Turkey and Sudan have always continued on political, economic and cultural grounds. These relations gained momentum after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Sudan. Turkey, both a Muslim and a friendly country, is not country that would harm Sudan. Therefore, Turkey needs to have a stronger presence in Sudan.”
TURKEY-SUDAN RELATIONS FROM 1956 TO THE PRESENT
Prof. Dr. Hamza Elsir Mohamed Elhassan from Bahri University talked about the history of Turkey-Sudan relations and said that diplomatic ties, which came to a standstill after the Ottoman period, were revived with Sudan’s independence in 1956.
Expressing that different governments in Sudan have developed different approaches towards Turkey, Prof. Dr. Elhassan emphasized that these different approaches have been shaped mainly by Arab nationalism and relations with Israel.
Prof. Dr. Elhassan noted that in the 1990s and 2000s, many visits were made reciprocally and agreements were signed in order to develop commercial relations between Turkey and Sudan, and said that relations were taken to a higher level during the reign of former President Mr. Omar al-Bashir.
Prof. Dr. Elhassan finished his speech by saying that “Sudan should be seen as Turkey’s gateway to Africa.”
SUDAN CAN GET THE TECHNOLOGY IT NEEDS FROM TURKEY
Prof. Dr. Hassan Ali Mohammed Elsauori from Alneelain University stated that in the 2000s, Sudan made efforts to strengthen its relations with Europe.
Prof. Dr. Elsaouri noted that Sudan sought technological support from Turkey and assumed that it would compensate for the devastation caused by the embargoes that lasted for years in this way, and said: “Sudan can receive technical and technological support from Turkey at a level that it will not need the assistance of any other country in this regard.”.
Ms. Arwa Jalal Muhammed Albasheer from the African Humanitarian Relations Organization stated that Turkey, unlike European countries, does not have a colonialist perspective, adding that the vacuum left by the Ottoman’s exit from the region was filled by missionaries and other countries.
SYMPOSIUM SESSIONS
In the first session of the symposium, “Turkey-Sudan Relations From Past To Present” were addressed. The second session entitled “Understanding the Historical Context: Sudan-Ottoman Empire Relations” was followed by the third session entitled “Economic Relations between Turkey and Sudan”. The first day of the symposium ended with the fourth session entitled “The Transition Process in Sudan and Sudanese Foreign Policy”.
The Fifth Session of the Symposium held on Friday, October 28th on “Cultural Interaction: Social Relations and Perceptions” was followed by the sixth session entitled “Health: A Promising Diplomatic Channel”. In the Closing Session, the reflections on the two-day event were shared.
