Saudi FM and US Secretary of State discuss Sudan during a phone call

 

The Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, and the United States (US) Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, held a telephone conversation on Tuesday.

Antony Blinken called Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the Kingdom’s foreign ministry said in a statement. During the phone call, they discussed the current situation in Sudan. They discussed the need to end military escalation and end the violence in Sudan. They stressed the need to protect Sudanese civilians and citizens of other countries. They stressed the need to ensure the security and stability of Sudan and the Sudanese people.

The Saudi Foreign Minister and US Secretary of State also discussed the aspects of bilateral relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia. They agreed to cooperate in various fields. The two leaders also discussed several issues of common interest.

The US Department of State said in a statement, “Secretary Blinken and the Foreign Minister discussed Saudi Arabia’s continued role in talks with the Houthis and ongoing Yemen peace efforts.” The two leaders stressed the need to end the conflict in Yemen and Sudan. “The Secretary underscored U.S. support for efforts that will pave the way for an UN-mediated, Yemeni-Yemeni peace process aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement of the conflict,” the US Department said.

The conflict has wreaked havoc in Sudan. Clashes between Sudan’s military and the main paramilitary force have left many people dead. Sudanese armed forces are loyal to Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, a Sudanese army general who is the de facto ruler of the country. Sudan’s main paramilitary force Rapid Support Forces (RSF) supports the former warlord Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

Sudan’s neighbours – including Ethiopia, Chad and South Sudan – have been affected by the recent fighting and conflict. Sudan’s relationship with Ethiopia has also been affected.