Qatar, Turkey join hands to destabilize Sudan

Mohamed Youssri

Article no. 7 of the Qatari constitution of 2003 stipulates that the Qatari state would work to boost peace and co-existence and not interfere in the international affairs of other countries.

Nevertheless, actual Qatari foreign policies violate this article.

Erdogan

Doha and Ankara follow almost the same foreign policy course. This is why they have become close allies. This is particularly so in the light of rifts between Qatar and other countries in the Gulf region. The alliance between Doha and Ankara undermine regional stability. The two capitals offer unwavering support to terrorist organizations and militias. Sudan is one of the spheres where the two states are operating in this manner.

Sudanese authorities announced recently that they had seized a shipment of Qatari arms in the western Darfur region. The arms were destined for the militias backing the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA). Surprisingly still, the shipment entered Sudan under the cover of the Qatari Red Crescent. It showed that Sudan is being used as a gateway for the smuggling of arms into Libya.

Failure

This has come after Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, failed in drawing Tunisia and Algeria into his camp on Libya. A Turkish-Tunisian-Algerian coalition would have eased Turkish interference in Libya. Nevertheless, Erodgan’s proposed détente was categorically rejected in both countries.

This is why some people expected Erdogan to revert to Sudan in cooperation with Qatar. In this, he will be trying to make up for his failure in the case of Tunisia and Algeria and also the failure of the militias backing the GNA.

Money

A Saudi channel revealed recently that Qatar pays Turkey to back the militias and bankroll arms procurements.

Madad News channel said provided details about the dispatch of mercenaries to Libya with the aim of backing the GNA and its prime minister, Fayez al-Sarraj.

Meanwhile, a Russian news agency said recently that Qatar pays for the arms shipments Turkey sends to Libya.

It added that Qatari Emir, Tamim bin Hamad, had promised continual support to Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, if he keeps backing the Tripoli-based government.