OIC calls for cease-fire in Sudan during emergency meeting in Jeddah

RIYADH: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Wednesday held an emergency meeting in Jeddah to discuss the developments in Sudan, following an escalation in military clashes that killed and injured many civilians.
During the meeting, which was called for at the invitation of Saudi Arabia — the current chair of the Executive Committee, the OIC affirmed the need to resolve conflicts through peaceful means, calling for solidarity in Sudan and affirming support for the Sudanese people, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Sudan said on Tuesday that 550 people have been killed since the conflict began, with 4,926 wounded and at least 334,000 people displaced inside Sudan. Tens of thousands of people have also been sent to neighboring countries, including Egypt, Chad, South Sudan, the Central African Republic and Ethiopia, according to UN agencies.

At the beginning of the meeting, OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha confirmed that “we will act on your recommendations and use all possibilities to contribute to efforts to stop the fighting, advance the peaceful path, and provide the necessary humanitarian assistance, including the possibility of sending a high-level delegation to Sudan at the appropriate time.”

Calling for a cease-fire and an end to the fighting, he said that they would “continue to hold consultations with (OIC) member states and regional and international actors, as part of our determination to contribute to the efforts aimed at achieving stability in Sudan.”
He added that they will continue to closely follow developments in the situation and work with partners to reach a peaceful process that achieves the aspirations of the Sudanese people.

The meeting affirmed the importance of maintaining Sudan’s security and stability and respecting its unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, thereby guarding it from external interference.
The OIC called for a commitment to the truce to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid and support for the injured and the stranded, the evacuation of citizens and diplomatic missions, and creating safe humanitarian corridors.

It also called for the immediate cessation of military escalation and for prioritizing the national interest to preserve the capabilities and gains of the Sudanese people, in view of the huge loss of lives and the destruction of installations and infrastructure, the OIC said in its final communique.

The OIC praised the efforts of Saudi Arabia in engaging with the Sudanese people and regional parties to reach an immediate and lasting cease-fire and return to the path of peace to preserve the country’s unity.
It also commended the significant efforts made by the Kingdom to evacuate people and diplomatic missions from Sudan and provide all their needs, while also commending the role of other states that made similar efforts.
The meeting also praised Turkiye for its role in inducing the Sudanese parties to exercise restraint, declare an immediate cease-fire and return to dialogue, and expressed appreciation for the safe and rapid evacuation of its citizens as well as nationals from 22 countries, including from 13 OIC member states.

It expressed gratitude to the Sudanese authorities for coordinating and securing the safe evacuation of staff of diplomatic institutions and foreign nationals under complex security conditions, and commended the efforts of Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Algeria, Morocco and Djibouti for the evacuation of their nationals and citizens of other countries.
The OIC stressed “that continued violence in the Republic of Sudan will cast shadows on and have negative implications for security and regional peace, which is part and parcel of international security and peace.”
It also appealed to states and international institutions and organizations to provide humanitarian and health assistance to those affected by the difficult conditions in Sudan, including refugees in neighboring countries and those stranded in border areas.