Saudi Arabia, US Stress Importance of Short-Term Ceasefire Agreement in Sudan 

A Sudanese flag rests on a wheelbarrow as a volunteer (not pictured) collects garbage to clean-up a street in southern Khartoum, on May 23, 2023, after a one-week ceasefire between Sudan's army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces officially went into force. (AFP)
A Sudanese flag rests on a wheelbarrow as a volunteer (not pictured) collects garbage to clean-up a street in southern Khartoum, on May 23, 2023, after a one-week ceasefire between Sudan's army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces officially went into force. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia, US Stress Importance of Short-Term Ceasefire Agreement in Sudan 

A Sudanese flag rests on a wheelbarrow as a volunteer (not pictured) collects garbage to clean-up a street in southern Khartoum, on May 23, 2023, after a one-week ceasefire between Sudan's army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces officially went into force. (AFP)
A Sudanese flag rests on a wheelbarrow as a volunteer (not pictured) collects garbage to clean-up a street in southern Khartoum, on May 23, 2023, after a one-week ceasefire between Sudan's army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces officially went into force. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia and the United States stressed on Tuesday the importance of the Agreement on a Short-Term Ceasefire and Humanitarian Arrangements in Sudan.

The agreement was signed by the Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Jeddah on May 20.

After five weeks of continued conflict, the Sudanese people badly need the humanitarian assistance and restored essential services that the short-term ceasefire is intended to enable, said the Kingdom and US in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency.

“The Saudi and US facilitators note with concern that neither side observed its commitment not to seek military advantage during the 48-hour period after the agreement was signed and before it went into effect,” it added.

“While fighting in Khartoum appeared to be less intense than in recent days, the facilitators conveyed to the parties reports indicating that both sides violated the agreement. Those included reported offensive operations in Khartoum and El-Obeid, airstrikes and use of artillery,” it went on to say.

“Today in Jeddah, representatives to the Ceasefire Monitoring and Coordination Committee engaged constructively on humanitarian assistance deliveries and undertook to engage their respective chains of command allegations of ceasefire violations as the Committee seeks to verify the reports. Preparations for humanitarian assistance movements to deliver lifesaving assistance are underway.”

“The Sudanese people continue to suffer as a result of this devastating conflict. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States reiterate their commitment to the Sudanese people and demand that the parties fully abide by their commitments under this agreement for a temporary humanitarian ceasefire to provide urgently needed humanitarian relief,” added the statement.



GCC Welcomes Agreement between Yemen Govt, Houthis

Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
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GCC Welcomes Agreement between Yemen Govt, Houthis

Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi welcomed on Wednesday the agreement between the legitimate Yemeni government and Iran-backed Houthi militias to de-escalate the situation with regard to the Yemeni banking sector and airlines.

The agreement was announced by the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, on Tuesday.

Albudaiwi expressed the GCC's support for all regional and international efforts and the efforts led by the UN special envoy aimed at achieving peace and security in Yemen.

The announcement underscores the importance the international community attaches to the Yemeni crisis, he added, hoping the agreement will pave the way for Yemeni parties to start the political process, under UN auspices, to reach a comprehensive political solution that achieves security and stability in the country.

He reiterated the GCC's continued support and full solidarity with Yemen, its government and people, and its keenness to encourage all efforts to de-escalate and maintain stability in order to reach peace.