Saudi crown prince, Sudan’s Burhan discuss efforts to achieve stability

ISTANBUL

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held talks on Monday with the head of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, to discuss efforts to achieve security and stability in the war-torn country.

The Saudi state news agency SPA said the discussions dwelt on current developments in Sudan and efforts to establish peace and security, without giving further details.

Burhan arrived in Riyadh early Monday for talks with Saudi officials as fighting continued between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

For his part, Sudanese Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Muawiya Osman said al-Burhan “concluded on Monday evening a successful friendly visit to sisterly Saudi Arabia, during which he discussed with Prince Mohammed bin Salman the course of bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to develop and elevate them to broader horizons through a sustainable strategic partnership,” according to the Sudan News Agency (SUNA).

Osman added that this would be achieved “through the Strategic Cooperation Council between the two countries, which will be overseen by the wise leaderships in Sudan and the Kingdom.”

He said al-Burhan expressed “Sudan’s thanks and appreciation for the great and valuable efforts exerted by the Crown Prince and his wise government to achieve peace and stability in Sudan.”

Al-Burhan also praised “the Crown Prince’s wise vision and comprehensive outlook toward spreading peace and stability throughout the region, strengthening economic cooperation, and achieving strategic partnerships among its peoples.”

According to the same source, al-Burhan further expressed “his full appreciation for the determination of US President Donald Trump to engage in efforts to achieve peace and end the war in the country with Saudi participation.”​​​​​​​

Saudi Arabia is part of the international Quad mechanism, which also includes the US, Egypt, and the UAE, that proposed a plan in September for a three-month humanitarian truce in Sudan as the first step toward a permanent ceasefire and a nine-month transition leading to an independent civilian government.

The conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which began in April 2023, has since killed thousands of people and displaced millions of others.