The Sudanese President was received in Qatar by the Emir, Prince Tamim al-Thani. Both heads of state to pursue common interests. The Sudanese eyeing the visit of their leaders with a worldly-wise skepticism.
With a friendly smile, you walked across the tarmac: the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his host, Prince Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar. According to friendly media ran reports of the subsequent conversations – even if one of the concerns of the Sudanese President, at least for the time being, in the fulfilment of: to Urgently needed money, to contribute to the pacification of the since weeks of protests convulsed the country, he will not bring his visit home.
With four billion US dollars in the small, wealthy Emirate had supported the development of the Sudanese port of Suakin in the past year – an economic investment, which was the government in Khartoum, the creation of jobs, politically, will be most welcome. New money was now though. After all, the Emir promised his country’s support for “unity and stability” of the Sudan – whatever the help may look like.
Sudan and Qatar: common interests
This help Qatar have considerable interest, says the Lebanese Journalist Amin Qamoriah of the DW. Sudan is not an immediate neighbour of the Emirate. But as a coastal state Bordering the Red sea, it is for the small state in the Gulf, the lives will especially appreciate of its soil, is of considerable importance. Because it would lead to unrest in the East African country, it would have a fast impact on the international ship traffic between Asia and Europe. This extends to substantial Parts of through the Red sea and the subsequent Suez canal as through the eye of a needle. “This is why Qatar is an advocate for stability in the Sudan”, Qamoriah. Therefore, Qatar had mediated in the Darfur conflict.
Also, both countries joined in a political close to the Muslim brotherhood. Their program of moderate Islam is estimated as the ideological Foundation for the State in both countries. The two countries also by the presence of some 60,000 Sudanese guest workers in Qatar.
People’s anger: protests after death of demonstrators in Khartoum, 18.1.2019
Foreign Policy Successes.
The trip to the Emirate should not have done, President al-Bashir but only material support will, says Philipp Jahn, Director of the office of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Sudan’s capital Khartoum. “A lot of people assume he’s also about his foreign policy successes continue.” These include the repeal of the against the Sudanese sanctions imposed in the autumn of 2017. This also includes the count – from a Western point of view, ask reception worthy – by the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus in December last year. Like al-Bashir also refers to the new cooperation with Russia, which had been agreed upon in the spring and summer of last year.
Success could produce Al-Bashir also in negotiations with Turkey: In a visit in December of last year in Khartoum under the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wrote a lease agreement for the small island off the port city of Suakin – a tourist Destination, which could be due to their location, but also of strategic importance. So far, however, has changed there since the visit of Erdogan’s hardly anything.
“If Al-Bashir travels to Qatar, so he is likely to want the number of his foreign-policy successes for a further complement,” says Philipp Jahn. Many people assume that he wants to raise its profile through this visit to further strengthen its Position in its own country.”
Through decades of grievances
Whether the reception in the Qatari capital Doha impression on the North-Sudanese, is open. For weeks, they protest against economic shortages and Inflation in your country. “The people are protesting against abuses that have grown over several decades,” says the Journalist amine Qamoriah. “To fix you, it needs fundamental Changes to the System itself.”
Under pressure: President Al-Bashir during a speech in front of supporters in Khartoum, 9.1.2019
The demonstrations were sparked initially to a rise in bread prices. In some parts of the country even there was no more bread.” Soon, the protests had assumed a political character and were directed against the government of Omar al-Baschirs, came in 1989 in a coup to Power. By the independence of the southern part of the country, the country has huge reserves of oil and thus a significant portion of its financial resources lost. This has increased the economic pressure in addition.
“We want a new Sudan”
So far in the protests at least 26 people were killed, mainly by the rigorous preceding security forces of the regime. This has the displeasure of the protesters grow. Their desire for a fundamental change also reflects their Slogan: “We want a new Sudan”.
Still, it doesn’t look like it, that the President would yield to the pressure of the street. However, many of the Sudanese people, it was clear that his resignation would not solve the country’s problems immediately, says Philipp Jahn. “The country is in a severe economic crisis. The economy is not better, just because suddenly a new Regime comes to Power. I think that a lot of opposition, even if you could it would be reluctant to immediately take over the Power. A claim of her protests, the formation of a transitional government of technocrats.” A change in personnel, around currently, would be only the first step, the more fundamental consequences.
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