Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Al-Sadiq Ali Denies That Sudan Received Military Aid From Iran Following Their Renewed Relations, Adds: Sudan Has The Right To Acquire Weapons To Defend Itself; The UAE Chose To Become Our Enemy

Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Al-Sadiq Ali denied in a February 26, 2024 interview with BBC Arabic (U.K.) that his country has received military aid from Iran, following the renewal of relations between the two countries. He added that Sudan has the right to acquire weapons to defend itself. Ali said that South Sudan, Chad, and the UAE supply weapons to the rebels. He continued to say that the UAE has "chosen to become the enemy of the Sudanese people" by supporting the RSF militia. Ali said that it is an "accomplice to all the ruin and destruction in Sudan."

Ali Al-Sadiq: "A report by the UN Security Council's Sudan Sanctions Committee, which was established under Resolution 1591, and deals with Darfur and the prevention of arms exports to Darfur, stated clearly that some of Sudan's neighbors and some countries in the region are providing the rebels with weapons and with everything that can prolong the war, and the suffering of the Sudanese. The report pointed clearly to Chad, South Sudan, and the UAE. It is now up to the UN Security Council and the regional organizations to deal with this, prevent the weapons from reaching the rebels, and implement resolution 1591.

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"It is the UAE that has chosen to become an enemy of the Sudanese people, and has chosen to support the [RSF] militia. In this sense, it is now an accomplice to all the ruin and destruction in Sudan, because this destruction has been caused by weapons and aid coming from the UAE."

Interviewer: "You were in Iran at the beginning of the month. This was the culmination of the resumption of Sudan's relations with Iran, which were severed in 2016. Why did you choose this option now?

Al-Sadiq: "Establishing or resuming diplomatic relations is the sovereign decision of every country. That's the first thing. This is a well-known thing in diplomatic relations. Relations are established and severed, because there are neither permanent friendships nor permanent enmities. I have mentioned on several occasions that the renewal of our relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran is a decision that is not directed against any country, any bloc of countries, or any regional or international order in the region."

Interviewer: "This is a huge change. Following the toppling of former President Omar Al-Bashir's regime, Sudan was heading towards normalization of relations with Israel. It was not a mere change here or there. Mr. Al-Burhan even met with the Israeli prime minister. Yet today, you turn towards Iran, in the midst of the conflict in the region..."

Al-Sadiq: "Why is it acceptable for Saudi Arabia to renew its relations with Iran, but it is not okay for Sudan? We renewed relations that were already in existence."

Interviewer: "To what extent can we say that in addition to the renewal of diplomatic relations, agreements were signed with the Sudanese government to supply Iranian weapons to the Sudanese army?"

Al-Sadiq: "This might be the main reason for all the confusion that is being caused about the renewal of our relations with Iran. I can tell you, in all honesty, that the only thing we agreed upon is the opening of embassies in both countries. What is said about Iranian weapons and aid is mere speculations. It is just the opinion of some people. Iran has never sent any aid to Sudan. We have no discussed military aid..."

Interviewer: "You did not get Iranian UAVs?"

Al-Sadiq: "Absolutely not."

Interviewer: "We heard from people living in Omdurman that there are UAVs [in the air]..."

Al-Sadiq: "There are UAVs. We buy UAVs. There is a global arms market. It does not have to be Iran."

Interviewer: "Did you get them from Turkey?"

Al-Sadiq: "I'm not a military man, so cannot..."

Interviewer: "I am asking, because this is included under diplomatic relations."

Al-Sadiq: "What I do know is that the markets are open and you can buy anything. I am not a military man, and I do not negotiate about this. However, Sudan has the right to acquire weapons and to defend itself. The Sudanese army has the right to acquire weapons from anywhere, in order to defend the country and the people, and in order to restore normal life."