Daniel Benaim, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Arabian Peninsula Affairs, stated in a press briefing on Friday, “The United States and Saudi Arabia are ready to resume the suspended Sudanese talks as soon as the parties truly demonstrate their seriousness in complying with the ceasefire.”
Benaim confirmed that the defense cooperation between the United States and Saudi Arabia remains strong, and that the security relationship between the two countries is a pillar for regional defense and security.
Benaim added that the United States continues to cooperate with Saudi Arabia on several issues, especially ending the war in Yemen.
In relation to Sudan, the UN Security Council condemned on Friday the looting of humanitarian aid and attacks on civilians and civil infrastructure in Sudan.
The Security Council, in a statement relayed by the British Mission to the United Nations, called for “a cessation of hostilities, an agreement on a permanent ceasefire, and the commencement of a political process leading to democracy in Sudan.”
The Security Council also extended the UN’s political mission in Sudan for six months after the Sudanese Army Commander, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, accused the UN envoy Volker Perthes of contributing to fueling the conflict.
In a brief decision, the Security Council unanimously agreed to extend the mandate of the “United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan” until December 3, 2023. The limited duration of this extension reflects the delicacy of the situation in the country.
Last week, Al-Burhan accused Perthes of exacerbating the bloody conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces led by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo.
