Sudanese diplomat to Israeli TV: Coup won’t dramatically impact normalization

The Kan news report said this was because the military leaders, many of whom support the normalization efforts, have strengthened their position after dissolving the government and declaring a state of emergency.

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

The diplomat warned, however, that in the long term, the identification of the military with the normalization efforts could backfire.

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

Israeli officials have yet to comment publicly on the coup in Sudan, though the broadcaster said several meetings were held Monday on the matter.

Citing unnamed sources familiar with the deliberations, the report said the belief in Israel was that the takeover could delay Sudan’s official accession to the Abraham Accords, the US-backed normalization agreements reached last year between Israel and several Arab states.

According to the Haaretz daily, Israeli officials were awaiting developments in Sudan before commenting on the coup.

Diplomatic sources told the newspaper that there have been close contacts in recent weeks with officials in Sudan, but stressed that Israel was in no way involved in the unfolding events.

“The internal situation in the country has made it difficult for it to advance contacts with Israel as the other countries did,” one of the sources said.

State Department spokesman Ned Price asked by reporters about the possible impact of the coup on the Abraham Accords.

“The normalization effort between Israel and Sudan is something that will have to be evaluated as we and as Israel watch very closely what happens in the coming hours and coming days. I wouldn’t want to weigh into that just yet,” he said.