Sudan notes

KHARTOUM. Last Friday we were in Sudan to attend the ordinary congress of the ruling party on behalf of the AK Parti. Since we came for the same reason, again on the occasion of an extraordinary congress, in October 2014, many things have been experienced at an extraordinary speed both in Turkey and in Sudan. That year Turkey was in the atmosphere created by Gezi Park, the 17-25 December attempted judicial coup and, immediately afterwards, the Kobani events of 7-8 October 2014. From that day on, with the successive elections and the 15 July coup attempt, it has been on the world's agenda both at home and abroad.

In Sudan, meanwhile, three years have passed since the official partition that followed a referendum, in 2014; although relatively eased, it seemed still unable to overcome the trauma of having experienced a partition after a civil war. On top of that, the international pressures and the embargo applied to the country on the road to this partition process were still continuing in their heaviest conditions.

As a result of the uprising and civil war in South Sudan, especially in the Darfur region, which began in 1983, that is, long before Omar al-Bashir came to power, a referendum was held on 9-15 January 2011 in accordance with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (KBA) signed in 2005, and as a result the Republic of South Sudan (GSC) was declared on 9 July 2011. The beginning of this process in 1983 and its course up to the partition is in itself an instructive story. For example, the transformation of South Sudanese demands for more services and rights from the central government into a demand for freedom and separation began when Westerners, in their search for new oil, discovered the rich reserves in South Sudan. After a while the rights of the Christian elements in these regions became the number one problem of international human organizations, then the rebels there were supported, and the known process took place. In this process, Omar al-Bashir's being tried at the UN Criminal Court and an arrest warrant being issued against him, and the separation, through the 2011 referendum, of Sudan's lands most fertile in terms of oil resources, were interrelated processes.

Although this partition at first had the effect of a trauma, it was interesting to see that these days its effect has been largely overcome. One of the most important factors in this is the great share of the fact that serious results have begun to be obtained from the national dialogue process Sudan launched, after this partition, on its own internal political disputes. In this too, the wise approach of the thinker Dr. Hasan Turabi, who for years was a fellow traveler of Omar al-Bashir and whose ways later parted from his, has a separate share. Turabi is the leader of the Toplum Partisi, and thanks to his participation in this dialogue process with great maturity, a serious political relief has occurred in the country. Turabi passed away last year, but his party continues the dialogue process.

A second factor in the relief in Sudan is that serious steps have been taken toward the lifting of the embargo applied against the country. In this way it is possible to say that a serious wave of international investment is taking place in Sudan. Many investors from China, France, Italy and America are preparing to enter the Sudanese market.

The trade volume of Sudan, which with its people, politicians, administrators and intellectuals holds an incredible affection for Turkey, with Turkey is only around 500 million dollars. This level is far below the level that should exist between two countries with such a strong bond of affection. MÜSİAD organized a trip in recent days, and it is said that it will also open a representative office. I hope this will be a good start in bringing relations with Sudan to the level they should be at. In fact, at the moment there is no reason why Sudan should not be one of the most important gateways for Turkey's opening to Africa.

Of course, in the relative optimism experienced in Sudan, there is perhaps to some extent a psychological share of the events experienced in South Sudan after the partition. After the Republic of South Sudan separated from Sudan, it has been dragged into a turmoil within itself that has almost never subsided. Despite the oil resources, seen by some as the real reason for the separation, the country continues to live in utter poverty and destitution. Until recently there was no sign of hope that this turmoil could end. That is, South Sudan won its freedom but has fallen into the vise of turmoil within itself, and because of this turmoil there is a significant amount of asylum-seeking from South Sudan to Sudan. Probably many people who voted for separation from Sudan in the referendum 6 years ago are now having to seek asylum in Sudan. This situation leads to the rise of serious criticism in South Sudan of the separation process, and even to some calls for reunification. For while everything in Sudan has been going toward the better after the separation, in South Sudan, which wanted the separation, everything has gone toward the worse in every respect.

The South Sudanese diaspora in Australia has also launched a campaign for South Sudan's reunification with Sudan. In this framework it appeals in this direction to South Sudanese living in Western countries above all, and in Uganda, Kenya and Sudan. In their appeals they say that the loss suffered in the current environment of conflict in South Sudan is greater than that suffered in the war fought against Sudan for independence, and that, had there not been the misguidance of South Sudanese politicians, the separation might not have happened.

- Everyone we met in Sudan has followed the referendum in Turkey closely and says that with this referendum Turkey has broken the devil's leg. When I asked, "What difference do you see between the parliamentary system and the presidential system?", they answer, "the parliamentary system means a weak Turkey." They followed Turkey on 15 July as well as if following a development in their own country, and all of them see Erdoğan as one of their own, and send greetings to him and his comrades.

- In Sudan, which responded without any hesitation to Turkey's call for the closure of the FETÖ schools and the suspension of their activities, the Maarif Foundation has started its activities.

- A very beautiful and high-quality Yunus Emre building has been opened and has started its intensive activities. There is intense interest among Sudanese in learning Turkish. We visited. We were amazed at the level of Turkish we saw. The affection and beauty are tremendous.

- The Embassy is doing wonders with its small staff. Ambassador Cemalettin Aydın is like one of the Sudanese. He is aware of Sudan's importance for Turkey in the post-embargo period, that there is much work to be done, and he is aware of this.