Riyadh Talks: Ideas, Options for Yemeni Peace Map Development

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman meeting with the Sanaa delegation in Riyadh (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman meeting with the Sanaa delegation in Riyadh (SPA)
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Riyadh Talks: Ideas, Options for Yemeni Peace Map Development

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman meeting with the Sanaa delegation in Riyadh (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman meeting with the Sanaa delegation in Riyadh (SPA)

During a span of four days, the Saudi communication and coordination team, in collaboration with a delegation from the Sultanate of Oman, engaged in extensive discussions with the visiting Houthi delegation in Riyadh to tackle matters related to Yemen.

Saudi Arabia had invited the Sanaa delegation to visit Riyadh to discuss the Yemeni peace plan.

Without disclosing details, the Saudi Foreign Ministry welcomed the outcomes of these deliberations, describing them in a statement as “positive” steps toward the creation of a roadmap to support the Yemeni peace process.

The ministry further clarified that the meeting of the Saudi team headed by Ambassador Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber, who had visited Sanaa last April, had yielded results.

Among the key outcomes were “the formulation of numerous ideas and options for the development of a roadmap agreeable to all Yemeni parties.”

Headed by Mohammed Abdulsalam Felitah, the Houthi delegation from Sanaa met with Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman.

During the meeting, Prince Khalid asserted the Kingdom’s commitment to reaching a political solution in Yemen.

“We look forward to the earnest discussions achieving their objectives and the Yemeni parties uniting under a common vision,” the minister said on Wednesday.

“This should take place within a framework of lasting political stability and security, aligning with the broader developmental progress of the Gulf region,” he added in a post on X.

The Houthi delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia last week. It was the first official visit to the Kingdom since the war broke out in Yemen in 2014 after the Iran-aligned group ousted the government there.

London, as expressed by its Foreign Secretary James Cleverly in an interview with Al-Arabiya, welcomed the meetings in Riyadh.

Charles Harper, who is currently serving as the Chargé d'Affaires of the British Embassy in Yemen, emphasized the significance of Saudi Arabia hosting a Houthi delegation in Riyadh.

In statements made to Asharq Al-Awsat, Harper underscored the importance of making progress in the comprehensive intra-Yemeni dialogue process under the auspices of the UN.

Observers note that Saudi Arabia aims for Yemenis to prioritize prosperity, stability, and development, resolving disputes through dialogue rather than armed conflict.



Saudi Arabia Pursues Efforts to Quell Sudan Crisis

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Pursues Efforts to Quell Sudan Crisis

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji reaffirmed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to resolve the Sudanese crisis. He expressed Saudi Arabia’s openness to international initiatives aimed at bringing peace to Sudan.
At the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan, held in Djibouti, Al-Khuraiji discussed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to resolve the Sudanese crisis.
He mentioned that Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the United States, facilitated talks between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, leading to the Jeddah Declaration on May 11, 2023, which aimed to protect civilians.
Al-Khuraiji also noted the continuation of talks with the involvement of the African Union and IGAD, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s support for African-led solutions.
He reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to restoring stability in Sudan and urged all parties to act with wisdom, show restraint, and support positive initiatives.
Al-Khuraiji also met with EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Annette Weber, on the sidelines of the consultative meeting.
In separate meetings, he also met with the UN Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, and US Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello.
During these meetings, they reviewed the latest developments in Sudan, explored ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, and discussed topics of mutual interest.
The Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum) expressed support for international and regional meetings, hoping they would bring positive results to ease the suffering of the Sudanese people.
They urged the need that discussions focus on ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in need, protecting civilians, and achieving an immediate ceasefire.
Taqaddum highlighted the importance of international legal frameworks for civilian protection and safe passageways during the conflict.
They called on international and regional partners to quickly bring both sides back to negotiations, build on the Jeddah agreements, and secure a binding ceasefire with effective monitoring.
Taqaddum also stressed the need for a unified negotiation platform to achieve peace.