Saudi-Africa Summit…Strategic Collaboration Across All Domains

The President of Mauritania arrives in Riyadh (SPA)
The President of Mauritania arrives in Riyadh (SPA)
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Saudi-Africa Summit…Strategic Collaboration Across All Domains

The President of Mauritania arrives in Riyadh (SPA)
The President of Mauritania arrives in Riyadh (SPA)

Riyadh is hosting a summit between Saudi Arabia and African nations, signaling the beginning of a strategic partnership covering political, economic, investment, security, and cultural domains.

The Saudi-Africa summit, which launches on Friday, aims to strengthen shared interests, foster development, and ensure stability.

Saudi Arabia enjoys significant trust and respect among African leaders, being considered a linchpin for both the Arab and Islamic worlds.

The Kingdom pursues a wise policy focused on economic and developmental interests, according to Khaled Manzlawiy, the assistant secretary-general for international political affairs at the Arab League.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Manzlawiy highlighted that the Kingdom’s hosting of a substantial number of African leaders in Riyadh signals the establishment of a strategic collaboration that serves the interests of both parties.

“As we know, Africa is a focal point for major powers such as the US, China, and Russia, in addition to emerging nations,” said Manzlawiy.

“Saudi Arabia's growing global role necessitates expanding relations with both the East and the West, including the African continent,” he added.

The trade volume between Saudi Arabia and African countries reached SAR 74.735 billion ($20 billion) in 2023.

Exports accounted for SAR 53.071 billion ($14 billion), while imports totaled SAR 21.664 billion ($5.8 billion).

This underscores the increasing economic ties between Saudi Arabia and African nations, reflecting the mutual benefits derived from their collaboration.

In a demonstration of Saudi leadership, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has actively supported international and regional efforts aimed at establishing security, stability, and resolving conflicts in the African continent.

This commitment resulted in the historic Jeddah Agreement for Peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Moreover, negotiations between conflicting parties in Sudan resumed in Jeddah, aiming to reach a political agreement that ensures security, stability, and prosperity for Sudan and its people.



Muslim World League Affirms Support for Saudi Measures to Preserve Sovereignty

Muslim World League Affirms Support for Saudi Measures to Preserve Sovereignty
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Muslim World League Affirms Support for Saudi Measures to Preserve Sovereignty

Muslim World League Affirms Support for Saudi Measures to Preserve Sovereignty

The Muslim World League (MWL) has affirmed its full support for the supplementary statement issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding recent escalatory actions by the Southern Transitional Council in the Hadramout and Al-Mahara governorates.

The league also expressed its support for the statement from the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen concerning the unauthorized movement of ships carrying weapons and heavy vehicles from the Port of Fujairah to the Port of Mukalla, SPA reported.

These shipments were reportedly transported without the necessary official permits from the coalition’s Joint Forces Command. The MWL emphasized its unwavering solidarity with the Kingdom and its support for all measures taken to safeguard its national security.

In an official statement released by the General Secretariat, MWL Secretary-General and Organization of Muslim Scholars Chairman Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa commended the decisive and wise content of the Saudi statement.

Speaking on behalf of the league’s global assemblies and councils, Al-Issa noted that these measures are vital to ensuring peace, security, and the unity of the Yemeni people under their internationally recognized leadership.

Al-Issa highlighted that the priority remains preserving stability in Yemen and the broader region. He noted that outstanding issues, including the Southern cause, must be resolved through dialogue within established legal and legitimate frameworks.

Furthermore, he warned that supporting illegitimate practices only deepens internal divisions and serves those who do not have Yemen’s best interests at heart. He cautioned that any further steps deviating from the legitimate path would only ignite sedition, the heavy cost of which would be borne by the Yemeni people.

Concluding the statement, Al-Issa called upon all Yemeni parties to prioritize wisdom and the national interest. He urged them to unite under their legitimate leadership to preserve the country's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, paving the way for a secure and prosperous future for Yemen.


President of Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Nullifies Joint Defense Agreement with UAE

Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat (Yemeni Presidency)
Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat (Yemeni Presidency)
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President of Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Nullifies Joint Defense Agreement with UAE

Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat (Yemeni Presidency)
Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat (Yemeni Presidency)

President of the Presidential Leadership Council of the Republic of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi issued a presidential decree on Tuesday nullifying the joint defense agreement with the United Arab Emirates, based on the Constitution of the Republic of Yemen, the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and its implementation mechanism, the decision on the transfer of power, the formation of the Presidential Leadership Council, and the powers granted to it under the constitution, according to the Yemen News Agency (Saba).

Article Two of the decree mandates that all UAE forces and personnel withdraw from Yemeni territory within 24 hours, according to SPA.

Article Three instructs the Homeland Shield forces to assume control of all military camps in Hadramout and Al-Mahara governorates.


Yemeni Government Commends Saudi Historic Stance and Its Leadership of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Yemeni Government Commends Saudi Historic Stance and Its Leadership of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

The Yemeni government commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's historic and steadfast stances, highlighting its crucial role in ensuring Yemen's security and stability.

The government acknowledged Saudi Arabia's leadership of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy and its ongoing commitment to protecting civilians, de-escalating tensions, and preventing the eastern governorates from being drawn into conflicts that serve hostile agendas, SPA reported.

In an official statement, the government called on the Southern Transitional Council to withdraw immediately and unconditionally from the governorates of Hadramout and Al-Mahara. It urged the council to hand over all locations and camps to the Homeland Shield Forces and local authorities in these governorates, to adhere to the terms of reference of the transitional phase, and to cease all military or escalatory actions that threaten local security and undermine de-escalation efforts.

The statement, which was reported by the Yemen News Agency (Saba), expressed the government's full support for the decisions made by President of the Presidential Leadership Council of the Republic of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, who is also Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

This includes declaring a state of emergency across Yemen and taking necessary sovereign measures to protect local security, preserve the unity and sovereignty of the state, and maintain its legal status in light of the dangerous developments in Yemen's eastern governorates.

The government stated: "The declaration of a state of emergency is grounded in the constitution and the references of the transitional phase, based on the recommendations of the National Defense Council.

It is a legitimate constitutional measure necessitated by our national duty to confront armed rebellion, protect civil peace, and prevent a descent into chaos that could undermine state institutions."