Burhan in Beijing: A Partnership with the Dragon Multiple Cooperation Agreements Signed
Intensive Activities by the Sovereign Council’s Leader Attract
Media Attention
Defense Industries Sign Agreements in Nuclear Energy, Airports, and Ports
Osama: The Signed Agreements Require Activation Through Political and Diplomatic Frameworks
Report by /Mohamed Gamal Gandool
Beijing witnessed intensive activities by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, president of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, ahead of his participation in the presidential summit of the China-Africa Forum. Burhan made a point of attending all the signing ceremonies for agreements spearheaded by Sudanese institutions, particularly the Defense Industries System, which was at the forefront of the agreements finalized yesterday.
This visit marks Burhan’s first trip to Beijing as chairman, though he is no stranger to China, having previously served there as a military attaché. The visit garnered significant media coverage due to China’s importance on the global stage, alongside widespread anticipation in Sudan for potential breakthroughs as the country increasingly looks eastward.
Major Gains Expected
Burhan’s visit is expected to yield substantial benefits, with his mere participation being seen as an achievement. The China-Africa Forum is one of the largest events organized by China in recent years. On the sidelines of the forum, Burhan met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, accompanied by Sudan’s Acting Foreign Minister Ambassador Hussein Awad and Sudanese Ambassador to China Omar Siddiq. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation for the benefit of their peoples.
Additionally, Burhan oversaw the signing of several cooperation agreements in areas such as nuclear energy, and the construction of airports and ports. Notably, a joint agreement was signed between Sudan’s Energy and Mining Group, under the Defense Industries System, and China Energy, a company specializing in nuclear energy and infrastructure projects.
Engineer Badr El-Din El-Feel, Director of Sudan’s National Energy and Engineering Company, signed on behalf of the Energy and Mining Group, in the presence of Minister of Energy and Oil, Mohy El-Din Naeem Mohamed Saeed, and the Director General of the Defense Industries System, General Mirghani Idris. Sudan’s Ambassador to China, Omar Siddiq, was also present.
Burhan also witnessed the signing of an agreement between the Giad Engineering Group and several Chinese automotive companies. He further visited the headquarters of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), which operates in the oil sector.
A New Chapter
Journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Al-Shaab newspaper, Osama Abdel-Majid, commented on the visit, emphasizing the need to view the event through a political and diplomatic lens before focusing on economic gains. He noted that China largely evaluates its partnerships based on participation in its new alliances, such as the China-Africa Forum, which aims to solidify Beijing’s presence in Africa.
Abdel-Majid added that Sudan had previously served as China’s gateway to Africa, but various complexities and political intersections had strained Khartoum-Beijing relations. However, Burhan’s visit presents a significant opportunity to restore trust, which is essential for reaping economic benefits.
He further highlighted that the numerous agreements signed with Chinese companies require political and diplomatic backing to ensure their implementation. “Smiles in front of cameras are not enough,” Abdel-Majid remarked, stressing the importance of solid commitments and a genuine alliance with Chinese leadership.
Osama concluded that the success of Burhan’s participation is evident in his significant activities, which may mark the beginning of a new phase for Sudan, potentially signaling the start of a post-conflict era.
