Our ambassador presents his credentials in Sudan. A slap in the face for the Emirates

The first Western ambassador since 2023 to officially present his credentials to the government in Khartoum, Sudan, was the Italian Silvio Mignano. The lavish ceremony, which took place last Tuesday in the presence of the country’s transitional president, General Abdel Fattah al Burhan, is of considerable political significance, as it demonstrates Italy’s interest in positioning itself as a privileged partner of the government in Khartoum.

“During my term of office, I will spare no effort to promote peace, unity and prosperity for Sudan,” wrote Mignano on X after being appointed as the new ambassador on 5 August.

For the past three years, ever since fighting resumed in the country between the central government in Khartoum and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as ‘Hemedti’, diplomatic missions have been closed and relocated elsewhere for security reasons, as Khartoum had been occupied by the RSF before being liberated in May 2025. The Italian embassy is currently operating on a temporary basis from Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia, but the presentation of credentials to al-Burhan now underscores the importance of cooperation between Italy and Sudan. Tuesday’s ceremony not only legitimised the authority of al-Burhan, the only de facto leader recognised by the international community, but also demonstrated that Italian foreign policy in Africa, whilst coordinated with the G7 countries, continues to be that of a free agent, keen to engage with all parties. This has been evident in the Sahel, particularly in Niger, where an Italian military contingent is stationed – the only Western one following the withdrawal of American and French forces.

Those who did not take kindly to the photos of our ambassador with al-Burhan, however, are the United Arab Emirates, which fund and arm Hemedti – accused by the UN of war crimes and genocide following the siege of El Fasher, in northern Darfur, in October last year. And these days, it is not customary to challenge Abu Dhabi’s influence in Africa.