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)
TT
20

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.



Saudi Arabia Re-Elected as Chair of SMIIC Board for Third Consecutive Term

file photo of the Saudi flag - SPA
file photo of the Saudi flag - SPA
TT
20

Saudi Arabia Re-Elected as Chair of SMIIC Board for Third Consecutive Term

file photo of the Saudi flag - SPA
file photo of the Saudi flag - SPA

The member states of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC) reaffirmed their confidence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by electing it as Chairman of the Board of Directors for a third consecutive term (2025–2027) during the 29th meeting of the SMIIC Board of Directors, held in Madinah with representatives from 13 member countries.

The Kingdom’s election underscores its leadership in standardization efforts across the Islamic world, its effective role in fostering technical cooperation, and its commitment to strengthening quality infrastructure to support the economic growth of member states, SPA reported.

Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) Governor Dr. Saad Al-Kasabi expressed his pride in this show of confidence, emphasizing the Kingdom’s commitment to continuing its support for SMIIC’s efforts and enhancing joint technical work through the development of a legislative framework for standardization activities.