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Israeli minister pays first official visit to Sudan since normalization

Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen discussed diplomatic and security issues with Sudanese leaders, and the potential for economic cooperation.

Israeli Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen at a ceremony in Jerusalem on May 18, 2020. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.
Israeli Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen at a ceremony in Jerusalem on May 18, 2020. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.

In a historic first, an Israeli Cabinet minister led an official delegation to Sudan on Monday.

Israeli Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen met with Sudanese leaders, including Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the acting head of state, to discuss a variety of diplomatic and security issues as well as the potential for economic cooperation, reported Reuters.

“I am confident that this visit has laid the foundations for many important collaborations, which will help both Israel and Sudan, and security stability in the region, deepen our ties with Africa and lead to further agreements with countries in the region,” said Cohen, according to Israel HaYom.

Sudan officially joined the Abraham Accords on Jan. 6, following the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which also agreed to normalize relations with the Jewish state. Morocco followed in December with a similar agreement.

Sudan agreed to normalize relations with Israel in October on the condition of being removed from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. A stipulation on the U.S. side of the agreement included the guarantee that Sudan would agree to pay $335 million in compensation to American victims of terrorism.

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