Sudanese citizens wary of Qatari aid

Islam Mohamed

The last shipment of Qatari medical aid arrived in Sudan on January 28.

The aid is part of persistent efforts by Doha to regain influence in this poor Arab and African state.

The Qatari Red Crescent had sent two shipments of medical aid to Khartoum earlier as part of a package of humanitarian support to Sudan. The latest shipment contains 70 tons of medical needs, including medicines.

Receiving the last shipment of Qatari medical aid to Sudan was Qatari ambassador in the country, Abdurrahman bin Ali al-Kubaisi as well as the Qatari Red Crescent representative in Sudan, Sara Abdel Azeem.

Qatar tries to expand its political influence in Sudan by providing this country with humanitarian and financial aid. It especially does this in Sudanese states near the border with Chad. Doha sponsors a large number of projects that directly affect the lives of residents in these states.

Qatar lost its influence in Sudan with the downfall of the Islamist regime of former Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir.

Nonetheless, the coming of Abdullah Hamdok as head of the Sudanese government renewed Qatari hopes in this regard.

The Qataris are returning to Sudan and increasing their influence in all aspects of life in it. They are now responsible for a large number of projects across Sudan.

However, the Qatari support has come at the center of criticism, with some people warning against the political conditions that come with this support. There are also fears that Qatar can use its presence in Sudan in sending arms to Islamist militias operating in Libya.

The Sudanese Rapid Intervention Force had recently announced that it had seized a shipment of arms on the road from Sudan to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord.