Sudan aims to reinforce its external image by gaining allies who can help it emerge from the crisis in which it has been mired for some time now. Algeria appears to be one of the most important actors in the region, above all thanks to its role - at least pretended - as mediator in the internal conflict. To strengthen this Sudan-Algeria partnership, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, commander of the Sudanese army, met with Algerian President Abdelmajdid Tebboune.

1. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan's visit to Algeria
2. Algeria claims its seat as a non-permanent member of the Security Council
3. The question mark over Algeria's ability to help Sudan

Abdel Fattah al-Burhan's visit to Algeria

The Sudanese commander aims to gain influence in the region. He believes that his country's tarnished image could be strengthened by the proximity of Algeria, which, although not at its best, could serve to bring Sudan's aspirations closer. Hence, Sudanese forces are touring the continent in search of partners, as has the commander of the Rapid Support Forces, Lieutenant General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

Al-Burhan wants to count on Algiers to develop new initiatives and benefit from Algeria's stated intention to intervene in the Sudanese crisis. Observers note, however, that this stance is at odds with Algeria's past actions. The Algerian executive's lack of patience has made it impossible to achieve objectives due to its difficulties in dealing with the obstacles it has faced.

Tebboune has not hesitated to show his support for Sudanese society, assuring that Algeria "supports the Sudanese people so that they can overcome the difficult situation that their country is going through, which is also the target of the forces of evil". He also stressed that he advocates a solution that should take place without "foreign interference", thus distancing himself from a conflict in which he believes "the last word" should belong to the Sudanese people.

Algeria claims its seat as a non-permanent member of the Security Council

Supporting "just causes" is one of Abdelmajdid Tebboune's priorities during his membership of the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member. He says he wants to use his position to halt the climate of tension in the region and end the conflicts that are currently raging.

Special mention was made of Sudan, which, since the outbreak of war in April 2023, has not achieved the stability that a transition process opened in 2019. The overthrow of Oman Hassan al-Bashir after 30 years in power was supposed to open a new democratic chapter in a country that has only plunged into a whirlwind of violence and destruction in which it is looking to regional partners for support.

The question mark over Algeria's ability to help Sudan

Algeria has tried to keep its distance from all parties involved in the Sudanese conflict. Even its mediating stance has been notable for the caution of a Tebboune that observers do not believe is entirely in favour of providing as much assistance as they would like from Sudanese soil. Or at least not in the way they would like in Khartoum.

Algiers is reportedly seeking to take advantage of the presence of Ramtane Lamamra at the head of the UN mission in Sudan. The former Algerian Foreign Minister has been appointed as the personal envoy of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. According to sources consulted by Al Arab, he could be considering the possibility of his country acquiring a political role in the crisis.