Saudi Arabia condemns the Kadugli attack and calls for adherence to the Jeddah Declaration
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed the Kingdom's strong condemnation and denunciation of the treacherous attack that targeted a United Nations compound in Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan State in the Republic of Sudan. This firm Saudi stance stems from the Kingdom's ongoing commitment to the security and stability of Sudan and the safety of international missions operating within its borders.
Details of the Saudi position and demands to end the war
The Ministry affirmed in an official statement that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia categorically rejects all forms of violence targeting UN facilities and humanitarian and peacekeeping personnel. The Kingdom stressed in its statement the necessity of an immediate cessation of hostilities and the preservation of Sudan's unity, sovereignty, and national institutions. Riyadh also reiterated its call upon the conflicting parties to adhere to the Jeddah Declaration signed on May 11, 2023, which clearly stipulates the commitment to protecting civilians in Sudan and facilitating humanitarian work, maintaining that a political solution is the only way to end the crisis.
The United Nations confirms the killing of peacekeepers
Internationally, UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the drone attack targeting the UN mission's logistics base in Kadugli. In his statement, Guterres noted that the attack killed six Bangladeshi peacekeepers, describing the incident as "horrific." These statements coincide with reports from medical sources indicating civilian casualties from the bombing of the besieged area, highlighting the precarious situation on the ground and the proximity of the front lines to UN facilities.
The context of the conflict and its regional repercussions
This incident comes at a time when Sudan is experiencing a bloody conflict that erupted in mid-April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, leading to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The city of Kadugli in South Kordofan is a strategically sensitive location, suffering from a siege and escalating security tensions that further complicate the Sudanese situation. Targeting UN facilities represents a dangerous escalation that threatens to undermine international efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to millions of displaced and affected people.
The importance of adhering to international laws
Attacks on peacekeeping missions constitute a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, and may amount to war crimes according to UN classifications. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through its sponsorship of the Jeddah talks and in cooperation with international partners, is playing a pivotal role in attempting to bridge the divide and bring the Sudanese parties closer together, consistently warning against the consequences of continued hostilities, the price of which is paid solely by the brotherly Sudanese people and their country's resources.
