Rival Sudan factions meet in Saudi Arabia as pressure mounts
May 07, 2023
Jeddah [Saudi Arabia], May 7: Sudan's warring parties have met for direct talks in Saudi Arabia as mediators pressed for an end to a conflict that has killed hundreds and sent tens of thousands fleeing. Saudi Arabia and the United States welcomed the start of the "pre-negotiation talks" on Saturday in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and urged the belligerents to actively engage and come to a lasting ceasefire, a joint statement said. Numerous truces have been violated since the conflict broke out in mid-April. The US-Saudi initiative in Jeddah is the first serious attempt to end fighting that has endangered Sudan's fragile transition following years of unrest and uprisings. Sudan's Forces of Freedom and Change, a political grouping leading an internationally-backed plan to transfer the country to civilian rule, welcomed the Jeddah talks.