Saudi Arabia, US Welcome Start of Sudanese Talks in Jeddah

People walk on a street in southern Khartoum as smoke billows in the distance on May 5, 2023, amid ongoing fighting between the forces of two rival generals in Sudan. (Photo by AFP)
People walk on a street in southern Khartoum as smoke billows in the distance on May 5, 2023, amid ongoing fighting between the forces of two rival generals in Sudan. (Photo by AFP)
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Saudi Arabia, US Welcome Start of Sudanese Talks in Jeddah

People walk on a street in southern Khartoum as smoke billows in the distance on May 5, 2023, amid ongoing fighting between the forces of two rival generals in Sudan. (Photo by AFP)
People walk on a street in southern Khartoum as smoke billows in the distance on May 5, 2023, amid ongoing fighting between the forces of two rival generals in Sudan. (Photo by AFP)

Saudi Arabia and the United States welcomed on Saturday the start of pre-negotiation talks between representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in Jeddah.

In a joint statement, the Kingdom and the United States urged both parties “to take in consideration the interests of the Sudanese nation and its people and actively engage in the talks towards a ceasefire and end to the conflict.”

This “will spare the Sudanese people the suffering and assure the availability of humanitarian aid to affected areas.”

Saudi Arabia and the US stressed “the efforts of the countries and organizations that supported these talks, including the Quad countries (The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States), the League of Arab States, and partners from the Trilateral Mechanism (UNITAMS, AU, IGAD).”

They also urged continued, coordinated international support for an expanded negotiation process that should include the engagement of all Sudanese parties.



Saudi Arabia Receives Djibouti's Highest Honor

The honor was presented to SFD CEO Sultan Al-Marshad by Djibouti's Prime Minister Abdoulkader Mohamed. Photo by SPA
The honor was presented to SFD CEO Sultan Al-Marshad by Djibouti's Prime Minister Abdoulkader Mohamed. Photo by SPA
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Saudi Arabia Receives Djibouti's Highest Honor

The honor was presented to SFD CEO Sultan Al-Marshad by Djibouti's Prime Minister Abdoulkader Mohamed. Photo by SPA
The honor was presented to SFD CEO Sultan Al-Marshad by Djibouti's Prime Minister Abdoulkader Mohamed. Photo by SPA

Djibouti has awarded Saudi Arabia its highest honor, the "National Independence Order of June 27th, Commander Rank," for the Kingdom's development support for the country through the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD).
President of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh bestowed the honor, which was presented to SFD CEO Sultan Al-Marshad by Djibouti's Prime Minister Abdoulkader Mohamed, SPA reported.
Al-Marshad was in Djibouti to sign an agreement providing a SAR6 million grant to rehabilitate the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Dialysis Center.
Al-Marshad thanked Djibouti’s President and Prime Minister, highlighting the 40-year relationship between the two nations.

The SFD has funded various development projects in Djibouti.