Saudi Arabia reiterates call on Sudan’s warring parties to reach agreement

By Hamdi Yildiz and Ibrahim Khazen

RIYADH (AA) – Saudi Arabia expressed grave concern Sunday over an escalation of military tensions in Al-Fashir, a city in Sudan's North Darfur state, calling on all parties to step up efforts to reach an agreement on ending hostilities.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry in a statement called on all sides to adhere to the outcomes of the Jeddah talks to resolve the crisis and stop hostilities through political dialogue.

The Jeddah Declaration, signed in May 2023, aimed to end conflicts between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

It emphasized civilian protection and the country’s interests.

However, talks stalled in July due to alleged RSF violations. Negotiations resumed in October but were indefinitely postponed in December after they became deadlocked.

Several cease-fire agreements brokered by Saudi and US mediators between the warring rivals have failed to end violence in the country.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that nearly four million people have been displaced by the conflict in Sudan.

The war in Sudan broke out on April 15, 2023 over disagreements to integrate the RSF into the army between army general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.​​​​​​​

The conflict has caused a devastating humanitarian crisis, and clashes have killed nearly 16,000 people and displaced millions.