US ambassador to Sudan returns to Saudi Arabia to resume peace efforts

US Ambassador to Sudan John Godfrey speaks during a ceremony at the presidential palace in Khartoum. (File/AFP)
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Updated 30 July 2023
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US ambassador to Sudan returns to Saudi Arabia to resume peace efforts

  • Sudanese army delegation says it is ready to resume talks after ‘overcoming obstacles’ 
  • Saudi Arabia and the US earlier announced the suspension of the Jeddah talks

RIYADH: The US Ambassador to Khartoum, John Godfrey, on Friday arrived in the Saudi city of Jeddah to resume dialogue efforts between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces.

“Pleased to have been back in Saudi Arabia to consult with partners on efforts related to Sudan,” Godfrey said in a statement on X.

“I was gratified to meet during my visit with a group of locally engaged staff (LES) from Embassy Khartoum — thank you again to Saudi Arabia for all its efforts in the evacuation from Port Sudan, and for hosting our LES,” he added.

Saudi Arabia and the US suspended the Jeddah talks between the rival forces early last month, due to repeated “grave violations” of the ceasefire by the Sudanese army and the paramilitary RSF.

On Thursday, the Sudanese army said that its delegation had returned to the Kingdom the previous day for consultations and was ready to continue negotiations after “overcoming the obstacles.”

Fighting between the two sides broke out on April 15, as both vied for power amid a planned transition to civilian rule.

At least 580 people have been killed in the capital, Khartoum, and more than 3 million Sudanese have been displaced, throwing the country into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.


Foreign ministers chair Saudi-Omani coordination council meeting in Muscat

Updated 23 December 2025
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Foreign ministers chair Saudi-Omani coordination council meeting in Muscat

MUSCAT: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi on Monday.

They reviewed bilateral relations between their nations and ways to enhance and develop them across various fields. Additionally, they discussed regional and international developments.

The ministers co-chaired the third meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council in the Omani capital, Muscat, with the participation of the heads of the Council’s subsidiary committees and the two heads of the Council’s General Secretariat teams.

The meeting comes as an affirmation of the keenness of Saudi and Omani leaders to strengthen ties and advance them toward greater prosperity for both nations.

In his remarks during the meeting, Prince Faisal affirmed that gathering builds on the previous council meeting, held last year in AlUla, and on its positive and fruitful outcomes within the framework of the approved recommendations and initiatives. 

He stressed the importance of continuing the work of the council’s subsidiary committees to complete the necessary procedures to implement the remaining initiatives, and of the General Secretariat’s role in follow-up and in addressing any challenges that may hinder implementation.

He also underscored the importance of developing and enhancing trade relations, stimulating investment, and strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors.

He also praised the ongoing work to establish and launch the Coordination Council’s electronic platform, which aims to connect all committee work and initiatives to facilitate follow-up on the Council’s progress. 

Al-Busaidi affirmed in his remarks the qualitative progress in relations between the two countries and the notable development witnessed across numerous sectors toward achieving economic integration and enhancing intra-trade and joint investments. 

The Omani foreign minister also highlighted deeper cooperation in the security and judicial fields, as well as the cultural and tourism sectors, noting the advanced and continuous political cooperation, consultation, and coordination on regional and international issues.