Sudan and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement on Monday, August 17, to establish a Supreme Council for Strategic Cooperation and Coordination, creating a new institutional framework to deepen and manage bilateral relations. The agreement was signed by Sudanese Foreign Minister Mohieddine Salem and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, according to Sudan’s official news agency SUNA. The new council will cover 10 key areas, including the economy, investment, trade and political affairs.
A new framework for bilateral cooperation
The agreement comes after two years of preparations and marks another step in the rapprochement between Sudan’s military authorities and Saudi Arabia.
According to both sides, the Supreme Council is designed to raise the level of bilateral cooperation and strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The platform will facilitate the implementation of joint projects aimed at supporting economic development and stability.
However, the agreement also carries an important political dimension.
Sudan’s foreign minister said the council would help the two countries “align their vision” and address issues of common national interest, as well as regional challenges such as security in the Red Sea.
Saudi support for Sudan
During the signing ceremony, Sudan’s foreign minister praised Saudi Arabia’s position towards Sudan and highlighted the kingdom’s support and assistance to the country in recent years.
Saudi Arabia played a key role in diplomatic efforts to end Sudan’s devastating war. In May 2023, Riyadh helped launch talks between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which resulted in a ceasefire agreement that was ultimately never implemented.
Since then, Saudi Arabia has increasingly aligned itself with Sudan’s regular army, while the United Arab Emirates has been accused of supporting the RSF.
The rivalry between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi has added another layer to the regional dynamics surrounding Sudan’s conflict, which began in April 2023.
The creation of the new cooperation council therefore goes beyond economic partnership. It signals deeper political and strategic coordination between Khartoum and Riyadh, at a time when the war in Sudan continues to reshape alliances across the Red Sea region.
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