CAIRO — On behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Al-Khereiji attended on Wednesday the fifth Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts for Sudan, held in Cairo. In his address, Al-Khereiji reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's top priorities regarding Sudan, which include ensuring the country's stability, implementing a ceasefire, preserving state institutions from collapse, and maintaining Sudan's unity, territorial integrity, and resources. The deputy minister emphasized the need for a Sudanese-Sudanese political resolution based on respect for Sudan's sovereignty and unity and on strengthening its state institutions. He added that the Kingdom continues its efforts to bridge differences and achieve a ceasefire that would end the escalating humanitarian crisis and alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people. Al-Khereiji also expressed Saudi Arabia's commitment to the resumption of political dialogue under the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan, signed on May 11, 2023, as well as the Agreement on a Short-Term Ceasefire and Humanitarian Arrangements signed on May 20, 2023, between the parties to the conflict. He highlighted that the ongoing war in Sudan and its consequences pose a threat to regional stability, stressing that the step of announcing the founding (Tasis) alliance, which includes the establishment of a parallel government to the Sudanese government, is completely unacceptable. He said this move obstructs ongoing efforts to resolve the crisis, threatens Sudan's unity and sovereignty, and endangers regional security as well as the security of the Red Sea. Al-Khereiji stressed that the creation of entities outside legitimate state institutions raises serious concerns and undermines efforts pursued through the political track to reach a solution to the crisis. He underscored that preventing foreign interventions and halting external support through illicit weapons and foreign fighters is urgent and essential to achieving a ceasefire and facilitating humanitarian operations, beginning with the opening of safe corridors to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid. The deputy minister reiterated Saudi Arabia's welcome of the Sudanese government's step to open the Adre border crossing.
