Kampala, January 19, 2024, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji represented Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, at the IGAD summit held at the leadership level in the Republic of Uganda.
In his address to the summit, Vice Minister El-Khereiji conveyed the Kingdom's steadfast commitment to supporting and strengthening Saudi-African relations. He emphasized the importance of consolidating ties with African countries and member states of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
Furthermore, El-Khereiji underscored the Kingdom's dedication to preserving the unity and integrity of the territories of the Republic of Somalia and the Republic of Sudan. He stressed that Saudi Arabia's stance on the Sudanese crisis is centered on preserving the unity, territorial integrity, and state institutions of Sudan, as well as the well-being of the Sudanese people. The Vice Minister praised the Kingdom's partnership with IGAD and the African Union in addressing the current situation in the Republic of Sudan.
El-Khereiji highlighted the importance of implementing the Jeddah Declaration and adhering to the protection of civilians in line with international humanitarian law and human rights principles as essential steps toward resolving the ongoing crisis in Sudan. He expressed the Kingdom's belief that the results achieved through the Jeddah Platform have garnered the support of the Sudanese people and received significant international backing, leading to the initiation of Jeddah talks 2. These talks involve the participation of representatives from the African Union and IGAD.
The summit, which saw the attendance of Mutashar Al-Enezi, Director General of the Office of the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, signifies Saudi Arabia's active engagement in diplomatic efforts to address regional challenges and contribute to the stability and integration of the African continent.
