Sudan Hands Suakin Island to Turkey for Development

Sudan has agreed to hand over the Red Sea Suakin island temporarily to Turkey for infrastructure development and rebuilding.

The announcement was made during a visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Sudan, which included a visit to the Suakin island and its old port.

During a speech at the University of Khartoum, where he was awarded an honorary doctorate, Erdogan expressed his country’s willingness to develop the Island, which used to house an Ottoman port.

On the occasion of Erdogan visit, the two countries held a Business Forum that wrapped up with the signing of nine agreements ranging from cotton production to airport construction.
Turkey and Sudan also aim to finalize a military deal that would involve the armed forces of both countries.

Emphasizing Sudan’s economic potential, Erdogan called on Turkish businessmen to invest in the African country.
He recalled that Turkey has invested around $650 million in Sudan, including $300 million worth of direct investments.

Erdogan’s visit to Sudan, started Sunday, is part of an African tour that will also lead him to Chad and Tunisia.