Today, Saturday, eyes are on the city of Jeddah, which is hosting discussions between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces under a Saudi-American initiative. Despite both parties in the Sudan conflict announcing a 72-hour extension of the ceasefire and a period of calm in the capital, clashes have returned between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces. As these confrontations continue, several international parties are attempting to pressure both sides to negotiate, with talks taking place today in Jeddah.
The leader of the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, confirmed participation in the Jeddah talks, expressing hope for a ceasefire that would facilitate the opening of humanitarian corridors, allowing citizens access to essential services. Saudi Arabia and the United States welcomed the commencement of initial talks between representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in Jeddah today.
In a joint statement, Saudi Arabia and the United States urged both parties to recognize their responsibilities towards the Sudanese people and to engage seriously in these talks to outline a roadmap for discussions aimed at halting military operations, confirming an end to the conflict, minimizing further suffering for the Sudanese people, and ensuring humanitarian aid reaches affected areas.
The statement added, "Saudi Arabia and the United States acknowledge the efforts of all countries and organizations that have supported the holding of these discussions, including the Quartet Group, the Arab League, and the Tripartite Mechanism," according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The statement concluded by urging Saudi Arabia and the United States to continue coordinated international efforts for broad negotiations involving all Sudanese parties. For its part, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry welcomed the start of talks between representatives of the Support Forces and the Sudanese army in Jeddah.
On another note, the Sudanese army announced on Friday evening the sending of negotiators to Jeddah for discussions regarding a ceasefire. The army stated in a message published on its Facebook page: "In the context of the Saudi-American initiative proposed since the onset of the crisis, a delegation from the Sudanese Armed Forces departed for Jeddah this evening (Friday) to discuss specific details concerning the renewed ceasefire."
Additionally, the Sudanese Forces of Freedom and Change coalition, a political alliance leading an internationally supported plan for a transition to civilian rule, welcomed the start of talks between the Sudanese army and the semi-military Rapid Support Forces in Jeddah after weeks of fighting.
In a separate incident, a Turkish diplomatic source reported that the ambassador's car was also shot at by unidentified attackers while the ambassador was safely inside the embassy. The Turkish Foreign Minister announced that Turkey would relocate its embassy from Khartoum to Port Sudan following the attack.
Furthermore, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, announced today that urgent medical assistance has arrived by air in Port Sudan for approximately 165,000 people, coming from Dubai, with plans to deliver it to 13 health facilities. The shipment, weighing 30 tons and including emergency surgical equipment and materials to handle trauma cases, is the first to reach the country since the outbreak of the conflict in mid-April, but distribution will depend on "security and entry permits," according to a WHO statement.
