LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s deputy foreign minister, Waleed Al-Khuraiji, on Wednesday stressed the important need to maintain the territorial integrity of Sudan.

Speaking at the fifth Sudan peace coordination meeting in Cairo, he said a political solution to the civil war that began in April 2023 must be based on respect for Sudanese sovereignty and unity.

He highlighted the efforts the Kingdom is making in an attempt to ensure stability in Sudan, help reach a ceasefire agreement that ends the conflict, prevent the collapse of state institutions, and maintain the unity, territorial integrity and capabilities of the country, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Al-Khuraiji also said that Saudi efforts to address the worsening humanitarian crisis caused by the war are continuing, in an attempt to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people.

It is important that the conflicting factions return to political dialogue, he added, as stated in the Jeddah Declaration of May 2023 and the short-term ceasefire deal that was agreed that same month.

The war in Sudan, between rival military factions the Sudan Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, poses a threat to regional stability, Al-Khuraiji warned.

He rejected the quasi-government formed by the Rapid Support Forces in July last year as an obstruction to ongoing efforts to resolve the crisis, a threat to the unity and sovereignty of Sudan, and a risk to regional security and the safety of the Red Sea.

“The announcement of parallel entities outside the framework of legitimate institutions is worrying and disrupts efforts through the political track to solve the crisis,” he said.

The prevention of external intervention in the conflict, including illegal support in the form of weapon supplies and foreign fighters, is crucial for efforts to achieve a ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian operations, Al-Khuraiji added.

He also called for the establishment of safe corridors so that deliveries of aid can reach those in need, similar to a mechanism established in August last year at the Adre crossing on Sudan’s border with Chad.