Under the leadership of Bahrain during the 33rd Arab Summit, Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Al-Tarifi, head of the Arab and African Affairs sector, participated in the “Mediators’ Retreat on the Situation in Sudan,” held in Djibouti on July 25-26.
The retreat, a collaborative effort with the Arab League, the African Union, the United Nations, the European Union (EU), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), brought together representatives from 32 countries and international organizations to discuss international initiatives aimed at achieving peace in Sudan.
During the retreat, Al-Tarifi referenced the outcomes of the Bahrain Summit held in May, highlighting the Arab states’ emphasis on solidarity with Sudan, their strong opposition to any foreign interference in Sudan’s internal affairs, and their reaffirmation of Sudan’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
Al-Tarifi reiterated Bahrain’s stance on the necessity of using all diplomatic means to encourage the Sudanese parties towards a comprehensive, peaceful, and lasting solution.
He also urged the international community to support the Sudanese people by providing necessary assistance to humanitarian organizations active in Sudan and emphasised the importance of backing economic initiatives and infrastructure projects aimed at rebuilding and stabilizing Sudan.
The EU’s top foreign policy official, Josep Borrell, called on Thursday for an end to the conflict in Sudan and urged the warring parties to come to the negotiation table. “After fifteen months of war, it is necessary for the warring parties in Sudan to stop this man-made tragedy and sit down at the negotiation table,” Borrell stated.
He added, “The European Union is ready to support all efforts aimed at ending the war, including the ceasefire talks organized by the United States, to be hosted by Switzerland and Saudi Arabia on August 14.”
The negotiations, which will take place in Switzerland and Saudi Arabia, will include U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and officials from countries that facilitated the Manama negotiations.