Saudi Arabia affirms its diplomatic and humanitarian commitment
During the 61st session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to continuing its diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to end the crisis in Sudan. In a statement delivered by the Kingdom's Permanent Representative, Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khathila, Saudi Arabia emphasized that since the outbreak of the conflict, it has taken the initiative to assume its responsibility towards its brothers in Sudan and has led intensive diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the crisis and ending the bloodshed.
The statement noted that these efforts, undertaken in partnership with the United States of America through the “Jeddah Platform”, resulted in the signing of the “Jeddah Declaration” by the two parties to the conflict on May 11, 2023. The declaration included a commitment to protect civilians, facilitate unhindered access for humanitarian aid, and respect the principles of international humanitarian law, which are essential steps for building trust and paving the way for a comprehensive political solution.
Background of the conflict and its disastrous consequences
The conflict in Sudan erupted on April 15, 2023, as a result of escalating tensions between the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo “Hemedti.” This conflict shattered hopes for a smooth democratic transition following the ouster of former President Omar al-Bashir in 2019. The power struggle quickly devolved into a devastating war, concentrated in the capital, Khartoum, and other areas, particularly the Darfur region, leading to one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
According to UN reports, the conflict has caused millions of internally displaced people, while hundreds of thousands have fled to neighboring countries such as Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan, placing immense strain on these countries' resources and increasing the risk of destabilizing the entire region. The conflict has also led to the near-total collapse of the health sector and infrastructure, pushing millions of Sudanese to the brink of famine.
International condemnation of grave violations
In its statement, the Kingdom expressed its strong condemnation of the recent attacks launched by the Rapid Support Forces on El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State. It described these attacks as “grave violations of international humanitarian law,” resulting in civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure and humanitarian convoys.
The Kingdom affirmed that these actions undermine peace efforts and exacerbate the suffering of the Sudanese people, reiterating its commitment to ending the war and anything that could fuel the conflict and threaten Sudan's unity, stability, and security. The statement concluded by emphasizing that the Kingdom will continue to exert every possible effort to end the humanitarian crisis and alleviate the suffering of the brotherly Sudanese people, in cooperation with international and regional partners.
