Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has held high-level talks with General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereignty Council, as Sudan’s protracted civil war continues to devastate the country, displacing an estimated 13 million people and creating one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.
The meeting in Ankara focused on the escalating conflict that erupted in April 2023 between Sudan’s national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a war that has forced millions from their homes, ruptured essential services, and severely hampered access to food, medicine and shelter. Erdoğan reiterated Turkey’s concern over the scale of human suffering, particularly pointing to grave violations of human rights reported in regions such as El-Fasher and underscoring the urgency of coordinated action to stem the violence and address civilian needs.
Türkiye offered support in humanitarian assistance and pledged to deepen cooperation with Sudan across multiple sectors — including trade, defence, agriculture and humanitarian relief — while reaffirming its stance on safeguarding Sudan’s territorial integrity and seeking a lasting ceasefire and peace process. Erdoğan emphasised that decisive steps are needed to prevent further atrocities and called on all parties to uphold protections for civilians caught in the conflict’s crossfire.
Burhan’s presence at the talks is significant given his role as head of the Sovereignty Council and commander of the army. Sudan’s conflict has driven displacement on an unprecedented scale and strained regional stability, with ongoing fighting contributing to collapsing public systems — including healthcare and food security — and mounting pressure on neighbouring countries hosting refugees.
The Turkish engagement reflects broader international concerns about Sudan’s war and its ripple effects, even as diplomatic efforts continue to seek a negotiated end to hostilities and expand humanitarian relief for millions of displaced civilians.
