Severing Ties with Iran Was a Pure Sudanese Decision: Ghandour - Rawan For Media Artistic and Production
Ghandour
said that the decision was not aimed at seeking any return. Speaking to
Ashrooq TV Saturday, the Minister said his ministry submits its
decision to then President who has the right to take a final course of
action.
He
refused to describe Sudan’s position as extreme c compared to stances
by other countries such as Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. “Our
position was in support of our brothers [Saudis]…we are with Saudi in
the Operation Decisive as our brave soldiers are sacrificing their lives
with the coalition, which is a confirmation of solidarity, hence
severing ties with Iran becomes a duty,” he said.
“Nobody would respect us if our decision was motivated by seeking something in return,” the Foreign Minster added.
“Sudan wanted to signal a message to Iran that its meddling in domestic
affairs is intolerable,” he said in a reply to arguments that Sudan’s
decision was unfortunate at the time Iran is normalizing relations with
the West.
He
denied that the decision was the last straw in the wake of previous
move to close Iranian cultural centers in Sudan. “Relations remained
normal despite problems,” he argued.
He
denied existence of any conditions for resumption of relations with
Iran; however, the Minister added: “If Saudi returned its relations with
Iran, we would cross that bridge when we come to it,” adding: “it is
not a matter of convention we server ties and back down jointly.”
Ghandour
further confirmed that Sudanese-Iranian military relations no longer
exist as well as economic ties, which he described as not considerable
as some are painting. However, he expected some Iranian companies will
continue to operate in the country to honor their contracts.
As
regards relations with Egypt, the Minister revealed that the former has
demonstrated a keen desire for establishing excellent relations with
Sudan, despite existing challenges and dispute over the region of
Halayib, a dispute he said must be resolved so that it does not continue
to sour relations occasionally.
As
for controversial Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Ghandour said his country
is no taking side at the expense of Egypt or Ethiopia, but taking into
account the interests of the tripartite parties (Sudan, Egypt and
Ethiopia).
He
denied allegations that Sudan would surrender the issue of Halayib, a
venture he described as “unlikely”, expecting the forthcoming summit
between President Al Bashir and his Egyptian counterpart, Gen.
Abdel-Fatah Al-Sisi, would bring about a remarkable breakthrough and
would be decisive as the two countries are in best terms.
The
Minister further said talks on relations with the US are slowly
progressing, but no actions are visible on the ground; adding that
direct and indirect conversation has never ceased between the two
states. “Things will not get back to normal with partial lifting of
sanctions unless relations are fully normalized,” he maintained.
By Staff Reporter, 11 hours 20 minutes ago
Foreign
Minister Ibrahim Ghandour has stressed that cutting relations with Iran
was a pure Sudanese decision taken after lengthy and heated discussion
in support of brothers.
Minister Ibrahim Ghandour has stressed that cutting relations with Iran
was a pure Sudanese decision taken after lengthy and heated discussion
in support of brothers.
Ghandour
said that the decision was not aimed at seeking any return. Speaking to
Ashrooq TV Saturday, the Minister said his ministry submits its
decision to then President who has the right to take a final course of
action.
He
refused to describe Sudan’s position as extreme c compared to stances
by other countries such as Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. “Our
position was in support of our brothers [Saudis]…we are with Saudi in
the Operation Decisive as our brave soldiers are sacrificing their lives
with the coalition, which is a confirmation of solidarity, hence
severing ties with Iran becomes a duty,” he said.
“Nobody would respect us if our decision was motivated by seeking something in return,” the Foreign Minster added.
“Sudan wanted to signal a message to Iran that its meddling in domestic
affairs is intolerable,” he said in a reply to arguments that Sudan’s
decision was unfortunate at the time Iran is normalizing relations with
the West.
He
denied that the decision was the last straw in the wake of previous
move to close Iranian cultural centers in Sudan. “Relations remained
normal despite problems,” he argued.
He
denied existence of any conditions for resumption of relations with
Iran; however, the Minister added: “If Saudi returned its relations with
Iran, we would cross that bridge when we come to it,” adding: “it is
not a matter of convention we server ties and back down jointly.”
Ghandour
further confirmed that Sudanese-Iranian military relations no longer
exist as well as economic ties, which he described as not considerable
as some are painting. However, he expected some Iranian companies will
continue to operate in the country to honor their contracts.
As
regards relations with Egypt, the Minister revealed that the former has
demonstrated a keen desire for establishing excellent relations with
Sudan, despite existing challenges and dispute over the region of
Halayib, a dispute he said must be resolved so that it does not continue
to sour relations occasionally.
As
for controversial Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Ghandour said his country
is no taking side at the expense of Egypt or Ethiopia, but taking into
account the interests of the tripartite parties (Sudan, Egypt and
Ethiopia).
He
denied allegations that Sudan would surrender the issue of Halayib, a
venture he described as “unlikely”, expecting the forthcoming summit
between President Al Bashir and his Egyptian counterpart, Gen.
Abdel-Fatah Al-Sisi, would bring about a remarkable breakthrough and
would be decisive as the two countries are in best terms.
The
Minister further said talks on relations with the US are slowly
progressing, but no actions are visible on the ground; adding that
direct and indirect conversation has never ceased between the two
states. “Things will not get back to normal with partial lifting of
sanctions unless relations are fully normalized,” he maintained.
By Staff Reporter, 11 hours 20 minutes ago
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