Sudan plays a key role in the regional interests of Saudi Arabia and its allies, siding with Riyadh against Shiite Iran and providing troops in the Saudi-led coalition fighting in the Yemen war.
DOHA – With Sudan in turmoil following the ouster of their ally Omar al-Bashir, Gulf powerhouses Saudi Arabia and the UAE are following events closely as they seek to protect their interests, analysts say.
"These are powers that largely privilege the status quo. They fear that any effervescence, any national protest movement, will lead to an oil slick - that there will be contagion."Tens of thousands have protested outside Sudan's army headquarters since 6 April, initially to urge the military to back their demand that Bashir be removed.
"The Gulf states are watching Sudan with apprehension and will do everything possible to ensure that the transition happens in continuity, meaning that Sudan remains under military control," Bitar told AFP. "All sides in the Gulf want to maintain some sort of stability," said Andreas Krieg, a professor at King's College London.
Riyadh and its allies severed all ties with Qatar on accusations the emirate was too close to Iran and to Sunni extremists including the Taliban and Muslim Brotherhood. "Qatar has its own reasons to object because it had some sort of influence on the previous regime," Alani said.
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