Washington: We Are Working on a Broader Agreement to Cease Hostilities in Sudan

Sudan Events – Follow-ups

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that he held intensive discussions regarding Sudan during his time in Egypt, particularly and also in Qatar. The U.S. Department of State clarified in a statement on Thursday that Secretary Blinken was visiting Egypt before heading to Qatar. The statement noted his meetings with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, and General Intelligence Director Abbas Kamel. The statement emphasized that the United States’ message was simple, clear, and urgent, in coordination with partners in Egypt and Qatar: the necessity of finalizing the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the release of hostages. Regarding Sudan, the statement noted that it is experiencing the worst humanitarian situation in the world amid all other ongoing crises, pointing out the suffering of people from fighting, violence, and the lack of access to food and essential humanitarian aid, with a commitment to trying to improve the situation. The statement added, “We have held talks in Switzerland, and these talks are ongoing. We are working closely with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the African Union at the same time. We are not only aiming to cease hostilities and push the parties to agree and verify the implementation of the agreements we hope to reach, but we are also trying to deliver humanitarian aid to tens of millions in need.” The statement continued, “In the last couple of days, we reached an agreement to open vital access points into Sudan by both warring parties, namely the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, to allow humanitarian aid to enter. This commitment, of course, needs to be fulfilled, but it is crucial to delivering essential aid to those in dire need.” The statement confirmed that efforts are ongoing to reach a broader agreement to cease hostilities, emphasizing that coordination with Egypt has been crucial.