Saudi King Salman has stressed the kingdom’s solidarity with Sudan as its embattled leader confronts economic challenges and protests against his rule.
During a ministerial meeting in Riyadh on Tuesday, King Salman said that Sudan’s “security and stability is the kingdom’s security and stability,” according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir has struggled to quell nationwide demonstrations against his government.
Last week, King Salman sent a ministerial delegation to Sudan which included the Minister of Commerce, transport and the Minister of State for African Affairs.
Speaking for the ministerial delegation, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi, the Minister of Commerce, said their aim was to enhance economic relations and increase trade with the east African nation.
He said Saudi Arabia has provided 8 billion Saudi riyals (Dh7.84 billion) to Sudan over the last four years in loans for development projects.
The move signals another battle in the Saudi’s sphere of influence as it looks to curry the favour of regional neighbours away from Qatar. Sudan is a part of the Arab Coalition fighting in Yemen.
But on January 22, the Sudanese President went to Qatar hoping to gain financial support and improve his image in the country. He left the next day empty-handed after Doha advised him to resign, according to local Sudanese newspaper Sudan Tribune.
The multi-pronged approach has also seen Mr. Al Bashir meet his Egyptian counterpart, President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, who expressed concern over the protests that have killed more than 30.
Mr. Al Bashir’s visit to Cairo on Sunday was his second trip abroad since deadly protests erupted at home on December 19.
Mr. Al Bashir has blamed the economic woes on the United States.
Washington lifted its trade embargo on Sudan in October 2017 after two decades of bruising economic punishment, but that failed to revive the country’s financial situation.
Large cash injections from Gulf states have helped the Muslim-majority state stave off economic collapse.
