For decades, Gulf states have provided crucial financial assistance to Sudan. Gulf interest in Sudan is driven by economic benefits and geopolitical competition, though each country has its own interests and approach. ifri_el_obeid_gulf_states_and_sudan_sept2024.pdf Download 1.64 Mo
On the other hand, the Gulf’s appeal to Sudan is three-fold. First, they have quickly available money when others are shying away. In recent years, Gulf states have become the primary sources of foreign direct investment and first trade partners. Second, their indifference toward sanctions has helped the government and Sudanese businesses to navigate the difficult twenty years of American sanctions. Third, while Sudan’s conflicts are ignored by everyone, Gulf countries are ready to mediate.
Yet, Gulf economic engagement in Sudan has created an unbalanced situation where Sudan was obliged to give political and economic concessions against the Gulf cash largesse. This vital source of money has helped to consolidate and prolong the authoritarian regimes of Jaafer Mohamed Nimeiri and Omar Hassan al-Bashir. The current conflict has interrupted the Gulf projects and shrank private investment. Still, it is unlikely to halt the Gulf economic engagement in Sudan, at least because Sudan could leverage their food insecurity and the Red Sea threats.
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- ISBN
- 979-10-373-0898-6
- Pages
- 44
- Published in
- Ifri studies, Ifri, september 2024
Table of Contents
- Couv_El Obeid_2024 1
- El Obeid_Soudan_okac 1
- Author 1
- Executive Summary 1
- Résumé 1
- Table of Contents 1
- Introduction 1
- A long history of intertwined economic and political interests 1
- Gulf strategic investments in Sudan 1
- Red Sea Ports 1
- Farming and energy 1
- Banking 1
- Mining 1
- Business Partnerships 1
- Implications 1
- Economic dependence 1
- High-level corruption 1
- Social and political tensions 1
- The intensification of regional competition 1
- Regional rivalries 1
- Intra-Gulf competition 1
- Conclusion: Sudan’s war and the Gulf economic engagements 1
- Appendix 1
- Page vierge 43
- El Obeid_Soudan_okac.pdf 1
- Author 1
- Executive Summary 1
- Résumé 1
- Table of Contents 1
- Introduction 1
- A long history of intertwined economic and political interests 1
- Gulf strategic investments in Sudan 1
- Red Sea Ports 1
- Farming and energy 1
- Banking 1
- Mining 1
- Business Partnerships 1
- Implications 1
- Economic dependence 1
- High-level corruption 1
- Social and political tensions 1
- The intensification of regional competition 1
- Regional rivalries 1
- Intra-Gulf competition 1
- Conclusion: Sudan’s war and the Gulf economic engagements 1
- Appendix 1
- El Obeid_Soudan_okac.pdf 1
- Author 3
- Executive Summary 4
- Résumé 5
- Table of Contents 6
- Introduction 7
- A long history of intertwined economic and political interests 10
- Gulf strategic investments in Sudan 13
- Red Sea Ports 13
- Farming and energy 15
- Banking 19
- Mining 21
- Business Partnerships 23
- Implications 25
- Economic dependence 25
- High-level corruption 28
- Social and political tensions 30
- The intensification of regional competition 32
- Regional rivalries 32
- Intra-Gulf competition 34
- Conclusion: Sudan’s war and the Gulf economic engagements 36
- Appendix 40