Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Sudanese Embassy building in Ankara, Sudanese Foreign Minister Muhyiddin Salim said his country is one step closer to peace. "Turkey is Sudan's strategic ally," he stated.
Salim stressed that under Sudanese law, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are defined as a "terrorist militia," and said no negotiations would be held with this group. "You do not negotiate with terrorists. Moreover, most of those fighting within the RSF ranks are mercenaries, and there is no logic in negotiating with mercenaries," he said.
Minister Salim revealed that the Sudanese government submitted a peace initiative to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) last December, which he described as "very sincere and clear." He said the initiative outlines the government's vision on how to deal with the RSF.
Salim said he discussed a comprehensive approach to the peace process in Sudan with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Referring to military advances on the ground, he said, "With this progress achieved by our forces on the ground, we have come one step closer to peace."
Noting that achieving peace will pave the way for strategic cooperation in Sudan's reconstruction, Salim added that the technology and expertise of Turkish companies will be an integral part of this process.
Salim had met with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan as part of his two-day official visit that began on Tuesday.
Since April 2023, clashes between the army and the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan have killed tens of thousands of people and displaced approximately 15 million.