Imperialists sniffing oil deadlier than sharks sensing blood: President Erdoğan

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan used a quote commonly credited to Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw to criticize the imperialist actions and goals of the world’s superpowers on Monday.

The president declared, “Imperialists sniffing out oil are more dangerous than sharks sniffing out blood,” during a speech at the University of Khartoum, where he was awarded an honorary doctorate.

🔴 رجب طیب ایردوان:

“خون سونگھنے والی شارک سے زیادہ خطرناک تیل سونگھنے والے سامراجی ہیں۔” pic.twitter.com/TRPqIGMKp6

— RTEUrdu (@RTEUrdu) January 4, 2026

“Our Sudanese brothers have suffered enough from unjust sanctions,” he continued. “There is no moral value imperialists won’t contravene for a drop of oil; Africa is the continent that best knows that fact,” Erdoğan said.

“The future belongs to Africa, provided we stand strong, just like we did regarding Jerusalem,” he said, which caused the audience to erupt in cheers.

“Those who are right are powerful—not those who are powerful [are automatically right],” he continued, discussing the contentious choice made by US President Donald Trump to acknowledge Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

“Israel has been committing state terror. Those who detained 14-year-old Muhammad, who also has Down syndrome, are indeed committing state terror,” Erdoğan further said.