Sudanese diplomat: Apparent coup won’t dramatically affect Israel normalization

A senior Sudanese diplomat is quoted by Israel’s Kan public broadcaster as saying that the country’s apparent military coup today is not expected to dramatically affect plans to normalize ties with Israel.

The report says this is because the military leaders, many of whom support the normalization efforts, have strengthened their position.

The outlet quotes the unnamed diplomat as saying Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, who was arrested today, had intended to soon travel to Washington to formally sign the normalization deal.

The diplomat warns, however, that in the long term, the fact that establishing ties with Israel is an idea primarily identified with the army, without civilian officials, could erode public support in Sudan for the move.

The military “made a big mistake by throwing away the partnership with the civilian officials,” the diplomat says. “They are underestimating the response of the people, which is fed up of military coups, and they may face an uprising.”