Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister met with U.S. Secretary of State to promote Sudan peace talks as President Trump prepares for a future visit to Riyadh. The ongoing conflict in Sudan has led to severe humanitarian crises, with past U.S. and Saudi negotiations failing to yield results. The diplomat’s visit aims to bolster relations and address other regional issues.
On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan engaged in discussions in Washington, laying the foundation for an upcoming visit from United States President Donald Trump. This would mark the first foreign trip of his second term in office. During a meeting held at the State Department with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the two diplomats issued a joint call for the Sudanese army and paramilitary forces to recommence peace negotiations.
Both diplomats emphasized the need for the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to return to peace talks, safeguard civilians, establish humanitarian corridors, and restore civilian governance. This appeal follows recent statements from the Sudanese army, which reported regaining full control of the capital Khartoum amid hostilities with paramilitary forces.
The conflict in Sudan, ongoing since April 2023, has escalated to a point described by the United Nations as the world’s most severe hunger and displacement crisis. The conflict has led to the displacement of more than 12 million people, significant fatalities, and has resulted in declared famine conditions in various regions.
Previous efforts by the United States, under the leadership of Joe Biden, alongside Saudi Arabia, to broker peace in Sudan have been largely unsuccessful. Meanwhile, President Trump expressed intentions to visit Saudi Arabia in April, mirroring his initial foreign visit in 2017. The diplomat’s visit is seen as a preparatory measure for this anticipated trip, according to a source close to the Saudi government.
In addition to discussions on Sudan, Prince Faisal’s agenda reportedly included regional developments in Gaza, Yemen, and Syria. Earlier this year, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced plans for a $600 billion investment boost into U.S. trade, which Trump later amplified, suggesting that Saudi Arabia had committed to investing nearly a trillion dollars in U.S. companies, thereby creating jobs. Trump’s previous administration saw strengthened relations with Riyadh, and he is expected to advocate for the kingdom to normalize ties with Israel as a key foreign policy goal. Notably, during his prior term, Trump was criticized for his support of Crown Prince Mohammed amid concerns over human rights abuses related to the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
In summary, Saudi Arabia and the United States are intensifying efforts to resume peace negotiations in Sudan, while also laying the groundwork for President Trump’s forthcoming visit to Riyadh. The ongoing conflict has resulted in a staggering humanitarian crisis, necessitating urgent attention. Moreover, the strengthening of U.S.-Saudi relations remains a focal point, with discussions extending to significant investments and regional developments.
Original Source: www.ktbs.com
