The bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Sudan have been characterized throughout history by development and growth, and the two brotherly countries have distinguished historical relations.
It is based on cooperation, a common destiny, exchange of interests, stability and security of the two countries, and the investment of their great human and material potentials and capabilities.
The directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince stress the consolidation and development of these relations in various fields.
The directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, which were issued during the announcement of the transitional period in Sudan, which included the provision of a package of humanitarian aid that includes petroleum derivatives, wheat and medicines, as well as the Kingdom’s declaration of its support for what the Sudanese people saw regarding their future, and the measures taken by the Transitional Military Council in the interest of the people. Sudanese and in preserving lives and property, and the Kingdom’s call on the brotherly Sudanese people of all groups and orientations to give priority to the national interest in a way that achieves their aspirations and hopes for prosperity, development and prosperity; Confirming the Kingdom’s support for everything that guarantees brotherly Sudan its security, stability and political, economic and social safety.
From then until now, the Kingdom has made – and still is – great efforts, as it actively contributed to reaching the partnership agreement signed between the Sudanese parties, and supported the efforts made by the African Union and other regional parties to reach that agreement.
It also sought to support the government for the success of the transitional period, and made efforts to remove Sudan from the list of state sponsors of terrorism once and for all, and also moved to pressure Sudan’s creditors to reach a broad agreement to reduce its $50 billion debt, with the aim of restoring Sudan to its normal place among the countries of the world.
The Kingdom committed to providing $1.5 billion as a grant and part of the economic aid it had approved for Sudan in 2019, of which $750 million was deposited in the Sudanese government’s account, and $500 million allocated to help solve the crisis of wheat, medicine, oil and some other commodities. The Kingdom stands out as one of the most important countries that have close relations with Sudan, and supports it to overcome economic difficulties, including depositing $250 million in the Central Bank of Sudan in May 2019, to strengthen the exchange rate of the local currency. It also provided financial assistance that exceeded $250 million since the beginning of the transitional period. To mitigate any negative impact on the Sudanese citizen. In March 2021, the Kingdom pledged to invest three billion dollars in a joint fund to invest in Sudan, and is keen to ensure that these investments are a catalyst for other governmental and private investments.
The Kingdom also decided, in partnership with the United Arab Emirates, in April 2021, to provide $400 million to Sudan, to help it provide agricultural production inputs for the summer and winter seasons of 2021.
The Saudi Fund for Development provided two loans to finance projects in the health and education sectors in Sudan in 2020, at a value of 487.5 million Saudi riyals, or 243.75 million riyals for each sector. These two loans are part of the financing provided by the Fund to support the implementation of dozens of development projects in Sudan.
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has also implemented 93 projects in Sudan, with a total value of about $63 million as of February 28.
And based on the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Action, in August 2022 AD, operated an urgent air bridge that includes urgent food and shelter aid to provide relief to those affected by the floods and torrential rains that struck some cities and provinces in the sisterly Republic of Sudan.
The top of the no’s is a shift in relationships
The political relations between the two brotherly countries witnessed continuous development since the independence of Sudan in 1956 AD, and the establishment of the first diplomatic representation between the two countries, in addition to the existing communication between the two countries across the Red Sea.
The Khartoum Summit in 1967, which was known as the Three No’s Summit, represented a major shift in political relations, when King Faisal bin Abdulaziz visited, and the Kingdom played an important role in development projects in Sudan, through investments and large projects that it adopted, including participation in the “sugar” factory project. Kenana» and many other development projects, and the economic dimension also represents a fundamental pillar in the relationship between the two countries in the field of agriculture, in both its plant and animal parts.
The joint cultural activity grew between the two brotherly countries, especially with regard to the presence of Sudanese students in some Saudi universities, and the Kingdom’s contribution to the International University of Africa, in addition to cooperation in the broad field of culture through television and radio programs, forums, festivals, and others.
35.7 billion dollars in Saudi investments
The relationship between the two countries has developed during recent years in the economic field, as the volume of Saudi investments approved by the Sudanese side in the period from 2000 to 2020 AD reached 35.7 billion dollars, of which projects amounting to about 15 billion dollars were implemented on the ground, and the Sudanese government is working to facilitate entry Saudi investments and removing all obstacles facing them.
The Kingdom is one of the first Arab countries to invest in Sudan, and Saudi investments in Sudan are distinguished by their diversity, as they include agricultural, industrial and service fields.
The Kingdom’s exports to Sudan in 2021 amounted to about 1.8 billion riyals of oil exports, and 2.6 billion riyals of non-oil exports, while the Kingdom’s non-oil imports from Sudan amounted to 1.28 billion riyals.
Vehicles and spare parts, petrochemicals, food products, packaging and medicines are among the Kingdom’s most important exports to Sudan, while it imports wooden papers and food products from brotherly Sudan.
Evacuation of nationals from 110 countries
In view of the recent developments in the Republic of Sudan, the Kingdom and Egypt requested last April to hold an urgent meeting of the League Council at the level of permanent delegates, headed by Egypt, to discuss developments in the situation in Sudan.
And in implementation of the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince, to follow up and care for the citizens of the Kingdom in the Republic of Sudan in addition to the nationals of brotherly and friendly countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs began, on April 22, 2023 AD, the evacuation of Saudi citizens and many nationals of brotherly and friendly countries from the Republic of Sudan to the Kingdom. Evacuated from Sudan Since the start of the evacuation operations, about 8,498 people, including 278 citizens, and about 8,220 people belonging to 110 nationalities.
Hosting bloodshed
In the interest of the interests of the Sudanese people and to spare their blood, the Kingdom hosted in Jeddah, on May 6, 2023, representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Support Forces. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America urged the two parties to engage seriously in the talks in order to achieve the following goals: Achieving an effective short-term ceasefire, And work to facilitate the arrival of emergency humanitarian aid, restore basic services, and set a timetable for expanded negotiations to reach a permanent cessation of hostilities.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America welcomed the parties’ commitment to a constructive approach based on mutual respect, and urged each to respect the existing ceasefire and refrain from any provocative actions on the ground to maintain a positive atmosphere for the current preliminary talks.
Relief of $100 million
Based on the usual humanitarian role that the Kingdom has always played, and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince sensing the current conditions that the brotherly Sudanese people are suffering from, a generous directive was issued to provide various aid (relief, humanitarian and medical) at a value of 100 million US dollars.
The aid provided by the Kingdom comes through the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Action, based on the keenness of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince to stand by the brotherly Sudanese people and mitigate the effects of the crisis in Sudan.
