Consultations in Jeddah to Consolidate Truce in Sudan, Open Humanitarian Corridors

Smoke rises over a neighborhood in Khartoum as a result of clashes (AFP)
Smoke rises over a neighborhood in Khartoum as a result of clashes (AFP)
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Consultations in Jeddah to Consolidate Truce in Sudan, Open Humanitarian Corridors

Smoke rises over a neighborhood in Khartoum as a result of clashes (AFP)
Smoke rises over a neighborhood in Khartoum as a result of clashes (AFP)

The envoy of the President of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council, Ambassador Daffallah Al-Hajj, announced that a delegation from the Sudanese army will participate in the scheduled consultations in Jeddah on stabilizing the truce and opening humanitarian corridors, along with representatives of the Rapid Support Forces.

 

However, Hajj stressed that the consultations would not include any talks on a political solution.

 

The Rapid Support Forces did not confirm their participation in the consultations, while sources said that they had identified three representatives to participate in the talks.

 

Meanwhile, the commander of the Rapid Support Forces, Mohammad Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), said on Friday that Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry expressed, during a telephone call, Cairo’s willingness to provide assistance to his country.

 

Hemedti tweeted that Shoukry called him by phone and discussed with him “issues related to the current crisis ... and local, regional and international initiatives aimed at finding a comprehensive solution.”

 

Meanwhile, a document showed on Friday that a group of countries was preparing to request an urgent meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Sudanese crisis next week, in a move that human rights activists hope will increase scrutiny of the warring parties’ abuses.

 

The letter, dated May 5, showed that Britain, the United States, Germany and Norway are expected to ask the council president to hold a meeting to discuss the outbreak of violence in Sudan since April 15.

Diplomats told Reuters they had the support of at least a third of the council’s 47 members, according to council rules.

 

The clashes continued in Sudan on Friday despite the truce that the two conflicting military sides pledged to abide by, and the US threats to impose sanctions.

 

Since April 15, fighting between the army led by Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the RSF has resulted in about 700 deaths and thousands of injuries.

 

Among the dead were children in “terrifyingly large numbers,” according to the United Nations, in a country where 49 percent of the population is under the age of 18.



Hajj Conference and Exhibition to Kick off in Jeddah Next Week

Hajj Conference and Exhibition to Kick off in Jeddah Next Week
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Hajj Conference and Exhibition to Kick off in Jeddah Next Week

Hajj Conference and Exhibition to Kick off in Jeddah Next Week

The Hajj Conference and Exhibition will kick off in Jeddah on Monday, featuring 280 exhibitors showcasing their services and boosting competitiveness within the Hajj sector. It follows the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's successful conclusion of Hajj agreements with 80 Hajj affairs offices from around the world, marking a significant milestone in the preparations for the upcoming Hajj season.

The conference will highlight groundbreaking projects and showcase the latest technologies and services designed to streamline procedures and enhance the pilgrim experience.

The inaugural "health oasis" will be integrated into the conference, emphasizing the critical role of healthcare services within the Hajj journey. The platform will facilitate interaction between healthcare companies and Hajj service providers, fostering collaborations that meet the evolving needs of pilgrims under new regulations requiring contracts with Saudi healthcare institutions.

The conference will also feature the Humanizing the Holy Sites Hackathon, a competitive event that challenges engineers, designers, and specialists to develop innovative and sustainable solutions that enhance the pilgrim experience while minimizing environmental impact.

The initiative aligns with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, underscoring the importance of humanizing the holy sites and enriching the pilgrim experience.

A dedicated ministerial session will be held, bringing together key ministers and officials from relevant government entities. The session will provide a platform to discuss and showcase new and ongoing services, projects, and initiatives aimed at facilitating and enriching the pilgrim journey.