Macron's Visit to Djibouti and Erdogan’s Offer to Mediate the Sudan Crisis: Two Sides of the Same Coin

The Arab and African regions are currently witnessing a new wave of international competition between major powers, especially in strategically significant areas like the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. France and Turkey lead the list of countries seeking to expand their influence in these regions through political, economic, and even military means. Sudan, currently grappling with political and security instability, has become a central focus of this competition, with both countries attempting to interfere in its internal affairs through various methods. In this article, we explore the dimensions of French and Turkish intervention in Sudan and its impact on the regional political landscape.

French Influence Shifts from the Sahel to the Horn of Africa

French President Emmanuel Macron decided to visit Djibouti, home to France's largest military base, to celebrate Christmas with French troops stationed there. He then planned to travel to Ethiopia, which borders Sudan, as part of Paris’s efforts to strengthen its influence in this geopolitically significant region along the Red Sea. France also seeks a new corridor to provide military support and equipment to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan.

Under Macron’s leadership, France aims to reclaim its position in Africa by solidifying its presence in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. Sudan, in particular, holds a critical place in this strategy, with France reportedly supporting the RSF as a means of achieving its military and political goals. Reports suggest that France, in collaboration with the UAE, supplies arms to these forces to bolster their capabilities against the Sudanese army. Additionally, France backs former Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and his "Taggaddum" movement to form a civilian government with international recognition.

France relies on strategic alliances with nations like the UAE, which wields significant influence in the region. It also plans to strengthen its military presence in the Red Sea by training Ethiopian naval forces and deploying its troops to strategic locations like Djibouti and Socotra Island. These moves reflect France's ambition to establish a permanent foothold in the Red Sea and secure its economic and political interests in the region.

Turkey's Intervention in Sudan

On the other hand, Turkey, under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, seeks to expand its influence in the Horn of Africa under the guise of “mediation diplomacy” and regional cooperation. Turkey has previously mediated tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia and is now actively seeking to mediate the Sudanese conflict between the Sudanese army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti). This Turkish intervention aims to secure long-term political and economic gains in Sudan and the region as a whole.

Turkey has a history of close relations with Sudan but also harbors colonial ambitions. It previously signed economic and military agreements with Sudan and, in return, sought to establish a naval base on Suakin Island along the Red Sea. Although its plans were temporarily disrupted by the outbreak of internal conflict in Sudan, Turkey exploited the political vacuum and successfully portrayed itself to the international community as a diplomatic mediator with no hidden agenda. At the same time, Turkey aims to compete with France and the UAE in the Red Sea by strengthening partnerships with nations like Ethiopia and Somalia. This competition reflects shifting international and regional dynamics, with African countries becoming a battleground for global powers.

Sudan’s Delicate Position

Amid this intensifying international competition, Sudan finds itself in a precarious position where regional and international interests intersect with its internal conflicts. Sudan's situation requires a comprehensive and sustainable solution driven from within, free from external interference that could further complicate its political and security challenges.

At the same time, the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea remain prominent arenas showcasing the struggle for influence between global powers, making them constant focal points in international politics. It is evident that the interventions by France and Turkey in Sudan’s affairs are two sides of the same coin.