Saudi Arabia affirms its commitment to ending the humanitarian crisis in Sudan
The Kingdom affirms its continued diplomatic and humanitarian efforts
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reaffirmed before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva its unwavering commitment to continuing all diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to end the crisis in Sudan and alleviate the suffering of its people. This came during the participation of the Kingdom's Permanent Mission in the enhanced interactive dialogue on Sudan, as part of the Council's 61st session.
The Kingdom’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khathila, delivered a statement in which he explained that the Kingdom, based on its responsibility towards its brothers in Sudan, had initiated intensive diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis since the outbreak of the conflict in April 2023.
Background of the conflict and the efforts of the Jeddah Platform
The current conflict in Sudan erupted on April 15, 2023, as a result of a power struggle between the Sudanese military, led by Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, led by Lieutenant General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo “Hemedti.” This conflict followed years of political turmoil after the ouster of former President Omar al-Bashir in 2019, which derailed the country’s democratic transition. In this context, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the United States, hosted the Jeddah Platform, which aimed to facilitate dialogue between the two sides. These efforts culminated in the signing of the Jeddah Declaration on May 11, 2023, which included a commitment by both parties to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian access, and respect international humanitarian law.
catastrophic humanitarian consequences
The Kingdom affirmed in its statement that the ongoing conflict has led to one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, displacing millions within Sudan and forcing hundreds of thousands to seek refuge in neighboring countries, thus placing immense pressure on the region's limited resources. The Kingdom noted that the recent attacks launched by the Rapid Support Forces on El Fasher in Darfur constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law, resulting in civilian casualties, the destruction of infrastructure, and the obstruction of vital humanitarian aid convoys.
Condemnation and a call for responsibility
The Kingdom expressed its strong condemnation of these violations, emphasizing the need to end the war and curb all actions that could fuel and prolong the conflict. It stressed that these acts not only threaten the lives of civilians but also undermine Sudan's unity, stability, and regional security. In closing, the Kingdom affirmed its unwavering commitment to continuing all possible efforts to end this humanitarian crisis, alleviate the suffering of the brotherly Sudanese people, and preserve Sudan's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
