OIC Welcomes Saudi-US Initiative on Talks between Sudan Army, RSF in Jeddah

In this picture taken on May 5, 2023, people are pictured aboard the Spanish frigate Reina Sofia during an evacuation from Port Sudan toward Saudi Arabia. (Photo by AFP)
In this picture taken on May 5, 2023, people are pictured aboard the Spanish frigate Reina Sofia during an evacuation from Port Sudan toward Saudi Arabia. (Photo by AFP)
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OIC Welcomes Saudi-US Initiative on Talks between Sudan Army, RSF in Jeddah

In this picture taken on May 5, 2023, people are pictured aboard the Spanish frigate Reina Sofia during an evacuation from Port Sudan toward Saudi Arabia. (Photo by AFP)
In this picture taken on May 5, 2023, people are pictured aboard the Spanish frigate Reina Sofia during an evacuation from Port Sudan toward Saudi Arabia. (Photo by AFP)

Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha welcomed on Saturday the Saudi-US initiative calling for the start of preliminary talks in Jeddah between representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.

The Secretary-General praised the initiative, which is consistent with the text of the statement issued by the Executive Committee of the organization at its last meeting on Wednesday.

The statement called for an immediate halt to the military escalation in a way that preserves the capabilities of the Sudanese people, in light of the huge human losses and the destruction of facilities and infrastructure.

It called for prioritizing dialogue, showing self-restraint and wisdom, and returning as soon as possible to the negotiating table to continue peaceful efforts to resolve the Sudanese crisis.

The Secretary-General called on the delegations negotiating on behalf of the two sides to work to maintain the truce and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the population, to work hard to reach an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and to put the national interest of Sudan above everything else to preserve its unity and state institutions, and achieve the aspirations of the Sudanese people to live in security, peace and political stability, and enjoy economic development.



Saudi Arabia Affirms Unwavering Support for Global Humanitarian Efforts

The Saudi capital Riyadh. AFP file photo
The Saudi capital Riyadh. AFP file photo
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Saudi Arabia Affirms Unwavering Support for Global Humanitarian Efforts

The Saudi capital Riyadh. AFP file photo
The Saudi capital Riyadh. AFP file photo

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirmed its unwavering commitment to support global humanitarian issues and its contributions to alleviating the suffering of those affected by wars and disasters.

In a statement delivered at the UN Economic and Social Council, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's permanent representative to the United Nations and international organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila, indicated that Saudi Arabia, despite global economic challenges, continues its generous approach as one of the largest donor countries in the humanitarian and development fields.

The ambassador explained that humanitarian crises have become exacerbated by the increase in armed conflicts and the decline in adherence to international humanitarian law, emphasizing that addressing the root causes of crises is crucial to alleviating human suffering.

He emphasized that Saudi Arabia's participation in the global initiative launched by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to reaffirm commitment to international humanitarian law, along with its hosting of multiple peace talks between conflicting parties, reflects its strong belief in the importance of dialogue as a means to achieve lasting peace.

Regarding the Palestinian issue, bin Khothaila explained that Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the serious violations and war crimes committed by the Israeli occupation forces against the brotherly Palestinian people. He emphasized that preventing humanitarian aid from entering the Gaza Strip and using it as a tool of war constitutes a flagrant violation of international law. He reiterated Saudi Arabia's call for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire.

The ambassador noted that a peace conference, co-chaired with the French Republic, had been scheduled for June 2025 as part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts within the Global Coalition to advance the two-state solution. However, recent regional developments have led to its postponement.

He emphasized the importance of integrating relief and development in addressing crises, pointing to Saudi Arabia's integrated model through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD).