A Sudanese government committee has approved the charter for the Council of Arab and African Countries of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
An Arab-African bloc of countries bordering the Red Sea is increasingly essential to protect and secure international trade navigation and enhance security and stability in the region.
Cabinet Affairs Minister Khalid Omer said in a press statement that the charter aims to raise the level of security, economic, and investment cooperation.
The charter also enhances coordination of political positions among member states, aiming to serve their interests in international forums.
The charter is scheduled for government approval before the final green light of the Sovereign Council and cabinet, Sudan's interim legislative body.
The Council of Arab and African States Bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden was announced in Riyadh in January during a meeting of the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia, Eritrea, Egypt, Yemen, and Jordan.
During the visit of the Saudi Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan, to Khartoum, the two countries agreed to enhance cooperation in maintaining security in the Red Sea.
The Arab African bloc was established at the initiative of Saudi Arabia in December 2018.
The council will increase cooperation between the countries and tackle piracy, smuggling, and other threats in the seas that are vital international shipping routes.
They discussed several issues related to developing cooperation to enhance security and stability in the region.
The eight countries do not plan to establish a joint military force in the Red Sea. Still, they consider the development of military and security relations to confront and deter any threats.
Securing the Red Sea coast is a matter of national security for Sudan, given that most of its exports and imports pass through it.
The Sudanese government wants to benefit from minerals and natural gas in the Red Sea and its neighboring areas.
US and Russia are racing to improve their relations with the Red Sea countries to establish military bases, expand in the region, and secure the movement of Middle Eastern oil, which constitutes 33 percent of global production.
Sudan recently suspended understandings with Russia to establish a military base in Port Sudan, likely after coming under US pressure.
