Sudanese Army Declares Withdrawal from ‘Jeddah Talks’

The Saudi Foreign Minister alongside representatives from both sides of the Sudanese conflict during the signing of the Jeddah Agreement on March 21 (Reuters)
The Saudi Foreign Minister alongside representatives from both sides of the Sudanese conflict during the signing of the Jeddah Agreement on March 21 (Reuters)
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Sudanese Army Declares Withdrawal from ‘Jeddah Talks’

The Saudi Foreign Minister alongside representatives from both sides of the Sudanese conflict during the signing of the Jeddah Agreement on March 21 (Reuters)
The Saudi Foreign Minister alongside representatives from both sides of the Sudanese conflict during the signing of the Jeddah Agreement on March 21 (Reuters)

Sudan’s Army announced on Thursday its withdrawal from indirect talks with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Jeddah. The Army clarified that disagreements regarding the evacuation of citizens’ homes, service facilities, hospitals, and roads in the capital Khartoum have resulted in a failure to reach a ceasefire agreement.

In a statement issued under the name of the Army’s official spokesperson, Nabil Abdullah, it was mentioned that “the Army delegation returned to Sudan on Wednesday for consultations.”

The statement reaffirmed the Army’s readiness to resume negotiations once the obstacles are overcome.

Furthermore, the statement highlighted that following the Eid al-Adha holiday, the delegation engaged in Saudi-sponsored indirect talks with the RSF and reached preliminary understandings regarding a general principles agreement for negotiations, a monitoring and verification mechanism, and the establishment of a joint center for a ceasefire, to be led by Saudi Arabia.

The Army stated that their delegation discussed a draft of the ceasefire agreement, and significant progress was made on many points.

However, disputes over some crucial issues, including the rebels’ evacuation of citizens’ homes in various areas of the capital and the clearance of service facilities, hospitals, and roads, led to a failure to reach a ceasefire agreement.

The Army expressed “appreciation for the tremendous and valued efforts made by their brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to ensure the success of all rounds of these negotiations.”

They affirmed their desire to reach a meaningful and just agreement that halts hostilities and paves the way for addressing post-war issues.

On May 11, the warring parties in Sudan, the Army and the RSF, signed the Jeddah Principles Declaration for a ceasefire and humanitarian arrangements, facilitated by the Kingdom and the US.

However, at the beginning of June, the talks between the two parties were suspended due to their failure to adhere to the second ceasefire and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to those trapped in conflict zones.

Thousands of Sudanese people continue to be forcibly displaced from cities in the capital Khartoum, fleeing from death caused by the ongoing clashes, artillery bombardments, and airstrikes between the Sudanese Army and the RSF.



Egypt Concerned Over Developments in Iran

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi meet in Istanbul last Saturday (Egyptian Foreign Ministry) 
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi meet in Istanbul last Saturday (Egyptian Foreign Ministry) 
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Egypt Concerned Over Developments in Iran

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi meet in Istanbul last Saturday (Egyptian Foreign Ministry) 
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi meet in Istanbul last Saturday (Egyptian Foreign Ministry) 

Egypt on Sunday expressed its “deep concern” over the latest developments in Iran following the US attacks on the country’s nuclear sites. It condemned the growing escalation, warning of its serious consequences on regional and international peace and security.

Although the foreign ministry’s statement did not directly refer to the US, an Egyptian diplomatic source told Asharq Al-Awsat, “We do not need to explain what is well-known. The Foreign Ministry statement condemned escalation following the US bombing. Everyone knows that Egypt meant the actions of Washington and not others.”
In the statement, Egypt reaffirmed its rejection of any violations of the UN Charter and international law, stressing the need to respect the sovereignty of states.
It also warned anew against the dangers should the region slide into further chaos and tension.
The statement emphasized that political solutions and diplomatic negotiations, not military action, are the only path to resolving the crisis and achieving a lasting settlement.
Egypt then renewed its call for de-escalation, self-restraint and dialogue, in order to protect civilian lives and preserve the security and stability of the region.

The statement came after the United States attacked early on Sunday Iran's three nuclear facilities at Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan. According to observers, the current escalation between Washington and Tehran is among the most dangerous in years.

Dr. Amr Al-Shobaki, an expert at Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, said Egypt has a strong strategic alliance with the US.

However, tension lately arose after US President Donald Trump insisted that Egypt should accept displaced Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

In its FM statement condemning the attack on Iran, “Egypt did not want to clearly refer to the US,” Al-Shobaki told Asharq Al-Awsat.

He said Egypt’s statement spoke in general when it warned of the serious consequences on regional and international peace and security.

“Cairo expressed its concern about the strike, but did not directly mention the US. It wanted to prevent an open confrontation and further tension in relations between both countries,” Al-Shobaki added.

On Saturday night, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi spoke by phone with his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.

Sisi expressed Egypt's complete rejection of the ongoing Israeli escalation against Iran, unlike the FM statement released following the US strikes and which did not mention Washington.

Meanwhile, Egypt continues to exert efforts to deescalate tensions in the region.

In this regard, Sisi on Sunday spoke by phone with the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said. Sisi emphasized the need to halt the ongoing escalation between Israel and Iran, warning of the grave consequences of the expanding conflict in the region.

Sisi also praised the role played by the Sultanate in mediating between Iran and the United States, stressing the need to restore and strengthen the negotiating process to spare the region the scourge of war.
Meanwhile, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty made two separate phone calls with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani on the need to avoid further chaos and tension in the region.

The ministers emphasized the importance of halting military escalation and achieving a ceasefire, a Foreign Ministry statement said.

“They called for prioritizing political and diplomatic solutions as the only viable path out of the current crisis,” it added.

They also underscored the need to respect the sovereignty of states, uphold international law and adhere to the United Nations Charter.