Saudi Arabia, UAE call for dialogue in Sudan amid military conflict

Ankara

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday called for dialogue amid the clash between Sudanese troops and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

In a statement, the Saudi foreign ministry expressed its deep concern over the ongoing violence in Sudan.

The ministry called on Sudan’s military and political leaders to “prioritize dialogue, restraint and words of wisdom, and unite the ranks in ways that will help to complete the consensus already reached, including the Framework Agreement.”

The UAE called on all parties to the conflict in Sudan to exercise restraint and end the current crisis through dialogue.

In a statement, the UAE embassy in Khartoum expressed its deep concern over the situation in Sudan and reiterated the country’s position “on the importance of de-escalation and working towards a peaceful solution to the crisis between the parties involved”.

It called for support for Sudan’s political process and “a national consensus on the formation of a government”.

Fighting broke out between Sudanese troops and RSF fighters in Khartoum early Saturday, with gunshots and bombs heard near the army headquarters and the presidential palace, Anadolu’s Khartoum-based correspondent reported.

While the RSF accused the army of attacking its forces south of Khartoum with light and heavy weapons, the military said the paramilitary forces were “spreading lies” and declared them “rebel” groups.

The dispute between the two sides surfaced on Thursday when the military said the latest RSF operation had taken place without coordination and was illegal, and their differences centered on a proposed transition to civilian rule.

Sudan has been without a functioning government since October 2021, when the military dissolved Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok’s transitional government and declared a state of emergency.

In December, Sudan’s military and political forces signed a framework agreement to resolve the months-long crisis.

The signing of the final agreement was originally scheduled to take place on April 6, but was postponed. A date for the signing of the agreement has not been announced.

Sudan’s transition period began in August 2019 and is due to end with elections in early 2024.

*Ikram Kouachi contributed to this report.

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