GCC countries express their solidarity with Sudan

Muscat: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have expressed their solidarity with Sudan, and confirmed the follow-up of developments in the situation there.

The GCC countries affirmed their follow-up and concern on the developments of the situation in Sudan, and expressed their full solidarity with it during exceptional circumstances that the country is facing currently. The GCC countries call for calm and restraint, and to prioritise peaceful dialogue with the aim of restoring political stability, economic recovery and prosperity for the people of Sudan and the country at large.

 This came in a speech delivered by Counsellor Fahd Sulaiman Al Kharusi, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Nations and international organisations in Geneva, on behalf of the GCC countries, before the 36th special session on the situation of human rights in Sudan.

Counsellor Fahd Al Kharusi affirmed the GCC countries welcoming the initial discussions taking place in Jeddah within the framework of the initiative led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the United States of America (USA), which came as a result of international solidarity and unremitting efforts with partners from the Quartet countries and partners from the tripartite mechanism and the IGAD which aims to reach a truce and cease-fire and facilitate the arrival of humanitarian aid.

Al Kharusi pointed out that the GCC countries reaffirm the importance of preserving the cohesion of the state and its institutions and supporting Sudan in achieving the aspirations of its brotherly people. Calling on the international community to encourage dialogue and send messages that help achieve political consensus among all parties and enhance stability during this transitional period, and the need to affirm and adhere to the principles of respect for Sudan's national sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence, Sudan's ownership of the political process, and respect for its vision in this regard.

Counsellor Fahd Al Kharusi affirmed the GCC countries' continued support for Sudan, including its humanitarian and relief contributions and its facilitation of evacuations, praising in this context the contributions of other countries and international organisations to provide urgent humanitarian aid.

The GCC countries called for intensifying efforts to provide more urgent humanitarian and medical assistance to meet the needs of the Sudanese people and prevent the deterioration of the humanitarian situation.

At the conclusion of his statement, Counsellor Fahd Al Kharusi pointed out to the GCC countries' emphasis on the importance of the Office of the High Commissioner providing all forms of technical support to the authorities concerned with the promotion of human rights in Sudan.