The Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, made two phone calls with the head of the Transitional Sovereignty Council in Sudan, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan. He also called the “Rapid Support Forces” (RSF) commander Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo, known as “Hemedti”.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, in a statement: “During the two calls, they discussed the current situation in the Republic of Sudan, where the foreign minister affirmed the Kingdom’s call for calm, giving priority to the national interest, and stopping all forms of military escalation, in a way that preserves the capabilities and gains of Sudan and its brotherly people.”
The statement added, “The foreign minister stressed, during his talks with the two parties, the importance of returning to the framework agreement, which guarantees security and stability for Sudan and its brotherly people,” according to the Saudi Press Agency.
On Saturday, the Saudi foreign minister called for “a speedy cessation of military operations in Sudan, exercise maximum restraint, and avoid escalation.”
Prince Faisal bin Farhan said, via Twitter: “We call on the brothers in Sudan to quickly stop military operations, exercise maximum restraint, avoid escalation, and give priority to the interests of the brotherly Sudanese people by preserving their gains and capabilities, and to return to the framework agreement that aims to reach a political declaration that achieves security and stability.” Prosperity for Sudan and its brotherly people.
Saudi Arabia had expressed its “deep concern over the state of escalation” and the clashes between the army and “rapid support” forces in Sudan.
On Saturday, Saudi Airlines (SAUDIA) announced that one of its planes had an “accident” at the airport in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, before taking off for Riyadh. It added that it had decided to suspend flights to and from Sudan “until further notice.”
Violent fighting continued across Sudan, Sunday, after clashes erupted, Saturday, between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese army. This was following months of tension between the two sides. This delayed the signing of an internationally-backed agreement with Sudanese political parties to resume the democratic transition in the country.
