RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji met with US Special Envoy to Sudan Tom Perriello on Wednesday at the Saudi Foreign Ministry headquarters in Riyadh, as both nations renewed their diplomatic push to resolve the ongoing Sudan crisis.
Talks Cover Sudan Developments and Joint Projects
The meeting examined the directions of interaction with Sudan in the context of current developments, the results of previous diplomatic engagements, and possible projects involving both countries, according to the ministry's press release.
The bilateral session comes as the United States and Saudi Arabia continue to coordinate closely on Sudan, a conflict that has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions since fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted in April 2023.
Perriello's Regional Diplomatic Push
Tom Perriello was appointed US Special Envoy for Sudan in February 2024, with a mandate to coordinate US policy, advance efforts to end the hostilities, and secure unhindered humanitarian access. His Riyadh visit was part of a wider regional tour that also included Uganda, Kenya, and Egypt.
Saudi Arabia has been a cornerstone of international diplomatic efforts on Sudan, co-hosting the Jeddah talks with the United States. The Jeddah Declaration — a framework for a humanitarian ceasefire — remains the principal reference point for ongoing negotiations.
Saudi-US Coordination on Sudan Peace Efforts
Perriello has publicly highlighted the importance of Saudi engagement, noting a "shared commitment to resolve the crisis in Sudan and to implement the Jeddah Declaration" and describing a "renewed urgency" to bring the conflict to an end.
The Riyadh meeting underscores the continued alignment between Washington and Riyadh on Sudan, as both governments work to re-engage the warring parties and prevent the civil war from spilling further across the region.
