On Friday, February 28, Saudi Arabia voiced its opposition to the establishment of a “parallel government” in conflict-stricken Sudan.
In a statement shared on the social media platform X, the Saudi Foreign Ministry articulated its stance against “any illegitimate actions or measures taken outside the framework of the Republic of Sudan’s official institutions, which could jeopardize its unity and do not reflect the will of its people, including proposals for a parallel government.”
The statement further underscored, “The kingdom reaffirms its unwavering commitment to supporting the security, stability, and territorial integrity of the Republic of Sudan.”
Additionally, Saudi Arabia urged all Sudanese factions to prioritize the nation’s interests over any partisan agendas and to work towards preventing division and chaos.
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“The kingdom also reiterates its dedication to continuing efforts to end the conflict in Sudan and achieve peace in accordance with the Jeddah Declaration signed on May 11, 2023,” it added.
Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The International Organization for Migration estimates that the violence has resulted in over 29,600 deaths and displaced more than 15 million people.
Since May 6, 2023, Saudi Arabia and the United States have been facilitating negotiations between the warring parties in Jeddah. Several ceasefires, including the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan signed in 2023, have been established but subsequently violated, with both sides accusing each other of breaches.
On February 22, the RSF and its allied political and armed groups signed a “political charter” in Kenya, signaling their intention to create a “parallel government” in Sudan.
Source: The EastAfrican
