The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America reaffirm the importance of the Agreement on a Short-Term Ceasefire and Humanitarian Arrangements in Sudan signed in Jeddah on May 20, 2023 by the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. After five weeks of continued conflict, the Sudanese people badly need the humanitarian assistance and restored essential services that the short-term ceasefire is intended to enable.
The Saudi and U.S. facilitators note with concern that neither side observed its commitment not to seek military advantage during the 48-hour period after the agreement was signed and before it went into effect. While fighting in Khartoum appeared to be less intense than in recent days, the facilitators conveyed to the parties reports indicating that both sides violated the Agreement. Those included reported offensive operations in Khartoum and El-Obeid, airstrikes and use of artillery.
Today in Jeddah, representatives to the Ceasefire Monitoring and Coordination Committee engaged constructively on humanitarian assistance deliveries and undertook to engage their respective chains of command allegations of ceasefire violations as the Committee seeks to verify the reports. Preparations for humanitarian assistance movements to deliver lifesaving assistance are underway.
The Sudanese people continue to suffer as a result of this devastating conflict. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States reiterate their commitment to the Sudanese people and demand that the parties fully abide by their commitments under this Agreement for a temporary humanitarian ceasefire to provide urgently needed humanitarian relief.
Source: Saudi Press Agency