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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)
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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.

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Gulf

US Reopens Embassy in Kuwait Months after Iranian Attack

A drone view shows Kuwait City, in the aftermath of strikes by Israel and the US on Iran, in Kuwait, February 28, 2026. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
A drone view shows Kuwait City, in the aftermath of strikes by Israel and the US on Iran, in Kuwait, February 28, 2026. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
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US Reopens Embassy in Kuwait Months after Iranian Attack

A drone view shows Kuwait City, in the aftermath of strikes by Israel and the US on Iran, in Kuwait, February 28, 2026. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
A drone view shows Kuwait City, in the aftermath of strikes by Israel and the US on Iran, in Kuwait, February 28, 2026. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee

The US Embassy in Kuwait has resumed operations that were suspended following attacks in March by Iran, a State Department spokesperson said on Wednesday.

The embassy will immediately resume emergency services for American citizens while other services will be phased in, the spokesperson said, Reuters reported.

The State Department shut down embassy operations in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in March after Iranian drones fired at the missions following US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Gulf

Oman Opens Temporary Strait of Hormuz Shipping Routes, Says No Tolls Will Be Charged

Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 15, 2026. (Reuters)
Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 15, 2026. (Reuters)
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Oman Opens Temporary Strait of Hormuz Shipping Routes, Says No Tolls Will Be Charged

Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 15, 2026. (Reuters)
Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 15, 2026. (Reuters)

Oman said it would keep the Strait of Hormuz open to shipping without imposing any tolls and had designated two temporary routes north and south of the existing shipping lane to facilitate the safe passage of vessels departing the region.

In coordination with the International Maritime Organization, Oman established temporary maritime corridors to help ships leave the area safely amid heightened security risks.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for ‌roughly a fifth ‌of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies before the ‌war, has ⁠been heavily disrupted ⁠since the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28, curbing commercial shipping and rattling global energy markets.

In a notice to mariners, Oman said the existing Traffic Separation Scheme in the strategic waterway was currently unsafe for use and that vessels departing through the strait could instead use temporary routes located to the north and south of the existing shipping lanes.

The scheme, adopted by the United Nations’ shipping agency ⁠in 1968, established routing lanes through Iranian and Omani waters in ‌the strait.

Oman said the measures ‌reflected its responsibilities towards the strait, its importance to the global economy and its commitment to ‌international law and freedom of navigation, citing understandings reached between the United States and ‌Iran.

Oman said navigational safety remained the overriding priority and that a gradual, controlled movement of vessel traffic was required because of an elevated risk of collisions.

Under a phased plan developed by the IMO in coordination with Omani authorities, vessels will be grouped and contacted individually with instructions on ‌when they may depart and which route they should follow.

Ships will be directed to a designated waiting area in international ⁠waters before being ⁠cleared to proceed.

Vessels using Oman's eastbound route will be required to maintain communications with coastal authorities and comply with all navigational instructions.

Oman said shipowners and masters remained responsible for conducting independent risk assessments before voyages.

Vessels were instructed to keep their Automatic Identification System activated during transit and to report any navigational hazards to the Oman Maritime Security Centre.

Oman's statement said that no tolls would be imposed on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, in line with the outcome of recent talks between the United States and Iran.

Iran and Oman began discussions on the future administration of navigation and maritime services in the waterway on Tuesday.

While the interim US-Iran agreement provides for commercial vessels to transit without charge for 60 days, the talks are expected to address longer-term arrangements, including any costs associated with maritime services after that period ends.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Stresses its Support to Syria’s Sovereignty, Territorial Unity at Security Council

Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasel. (UN file)
Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasel. (UN file)
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Saudi Arabia Stresses its Support to Syria’s Sovereignty, Territorial Unity at Security Council

Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasel. (UN file)
Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasel. (UN file)

Saudi Arabia stressed before the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday its support for the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Syria, and its support for the efforts of the Syrian state to extend its sovereignty over its entire territory.

The council met for a session dedicated to discussing the humanitarian and political situation in Syria.

Speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasel called for the removal of Syria's name from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, stressing the importance of the international community's support for the transitional phase the country is going through.

This will help in consolidating stability and improving the humanitarian situation, he added.

The Arab Group expressed its backing for the Syrian government’s efforts in combating the ISIS terrorist organization, as well as terrorism in all its forms, underlining the importance of concerted international efforts to provide the necessary support during this phase.

It also urged the international community to strengthen and expand support to countries hosting Syrian refugees, and not to leave them to bear the humanitarian and economic burdens alone.

Furthermore, the Arab Group strongly condemned the repeated Israeli incursions and attacks on Syrian territory, stressing that they represent a flagrant violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It reiterated the need to compel Israel to fully comply with the 1974 disengagement agreement and to withdraw immediately and unconditionally from the occupied Syrian Golan.