Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met in Riyadh on Friday with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. SPA
- Riyadh: Asharq Al Awsat
05:45-11 November 2023 AD ـ 27 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1445 AH
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Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, met in Riyadh on Friday with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, on the sidelines of the Saudi-African Summit.
During the meeting, they reviewed the bilateral relations and opportunities for cooperation in various fields.
A number of ministers attended the meeting.
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Saudi Arabia and Africa… Laying the Foundations for Continental Integration, Sustainable Future
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman delivers his speech at the opening of the summit (SPA)
- Riyadh: Abdulhadi Habtor وGhazi al-Harthi
08:50-11 November 2023 AD ـ 27 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1445 AH
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The leaders of Saudi Arabia and African countries have affirmed their determination to develop cooperation and partnership and to lay the foundations for continental integration that charts a sustainable future for the countries and peoples of both regions.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the first Saudi-African summit in Riyadh on Friday, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the launch of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ development initiative in Africa, which seeks to implement development projects and programs in the continent with a value exceeding one billion dollars over a period of ten years.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman pledged to pump more than $25 billion in new Saudi investments into various sectors, finance and secure $10 billion in exports, provide $5 billion in additional development financing to Africa until 2030, and increase the number of Saudi diplomatic missions in the continent to more than 40 embassies.
“The Kingdom and African countries are keen to enhance cooperation in a way that contributes to establishing security and peace in the region and the world,” the Saudi Crown Prince said.
Pointing to the war on Gaza, he stated: “We condemn the military aggression witnessed in the Gaza Strip, the targeting of civilians, and the continued violations of international humanitarian law by the Israeli occupation authority. Let us stress the need to stop this war and forced displacement, and create conditions for the return of stability and the achievement of peace.”
Prince Mohammed explained that the Kingdom and African countries support “all efforts aimed at achieving security and stability.”
He added: “In this regard, we welcome the resumption of the Jeddah talks with representatives of both sides of the crisis in Sudan, and we hope that the language of dialogue will be the basis for preserving the unity of the Republic of Sudan and the security of its people.”
The Crown Prince went on to say: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has provided more than $45 billion to support development and humanitarian projects in 54 African countries.”
He added that the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has offered more than $450 million in aid in 46 African countries.
“We are determined to deepen relations of cooperation and partnership with African countries and develop areas of trade and integration,” Prince Mohammed said.
“From this standpoint, we are pleased to announce the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ development initiative in Africa, by launching development projects and programs with a value exceeding one billion dollars over a period of 10 years.”
For his part, Moussa Mahamat, Commissioner of the African Union, touched on the spiritual, historical, cultural, economic and commercial ties between Africa and Saudi Arabia, which he said were translated by bilateral relations between the Kingdom and a large number of members of the African Union.
The Riyadh Declaration towards a New Chapter of Saudi-African Cooperation
The Riyadh Declaration constitutes a roadmap for Saudi-African cooperation. (SPA)
- Riyadh: Ghazi al-Harthi
08:31-11 November 2023 AD ـ 27 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1445 AH
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The first Saudi-African Summit concluded its work in Riyadh on Friday, with the leaders of African countries confirming that the meeting represented an important historical turning point in African relations with Saudi Arabia, which will open broader horizons for cooperation in all fields.
The summit concluded with the adoption of the Riyadh Declaration, which includes a road map for Saudi-African cooperation, during which the leaders renewed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on the basis of strategic partnership, common interests, and geographical, historical and cultural ties.
Saudi Arabia, for its part, emphasized its historical ties with the African continent and its interest in developing relations with all its countries in the political, economic, investment, trade, and development, cultural and social fields.
The participants approved recommendations regarding the formation of four working groups. Those include: The working group for political, security and military affairs and combating extremism and terrorism, the committee for economic, development, commercial and investment affairs, another working group for cultural, educational and civilizational communication, and finally, the humanitarian and health affairs working group.
On the other hand, the Riyadh Declaration revealed that the leaders discussed developments in the situation in Palestine and expressed their deep concern about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
In this context, the participants stressed the need to stop military operations in the occupied Palestinian territories and to protect civilians in accordance with international law and international humanitarian law, pointing to the importance of the role of the international community to pressure the Israeli side to stop its attacks and forced displacement of Palestinians.
On a different note, the leaders at the summit touched on the need to intensify cooperation in the field of maritime security as one of the factors for stability and development of countries.
On the economic, developmental, commercial and investment levels, the Riyadh Declaration stated that the leaders highlighted the depth of the historical relations between Saudi Arabia and the countries of the African continent. They noted that the Kingdom has provided development support worth more than $45 billion in five decades in many vital sectors, benefitting 46 African countries.
The Saudi and African sides agreed to strengthen economic relations in the industrial and mining sectors, and to increase non-oil exports, welcoming the remarkable growth in trade exchange between them during the past five years.
They also expressed their aspiration to discuss areas of joint cooperation with regard to energy efficiency, electric and renewable energy, and work to localize energy sector products.
According to the Riyadh Declaration, the leaders of African countries welcomed Saudi Arabia’s launch of the Green Saudi Arabia and Green Middle East initiatives, and expressed their support for the Kingdom’s efforts in combating climate change, by implementing the circular carbon economy approach, which was launched by Saudi Arabia and approved by the leaders of the G20 countries.
The African states affirmed their support for Saudi Arabia’s candidacy to host the Expo 2030 exhibition in the city of Riyadh, and also welcomed the Kingdom’s candidacy to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Saudi Arabia, for its part, expressed its support for policies, plans and directions that would develop the tourism sector in the African Union countries, in coordination with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNTWO) and the African Union.
Saudi-African Summit Underlines Need to Stop Gaza War
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman emphasized the necessity to stop the war in Gaza and create the appropriate conditions for the return of stability. (SPA)
- Riyadh: Jubair Alansari
07:17-11 November 2023 AD ـ 27 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1445 AH
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Leaders at the Saudi-African Summit on Friday stressed the need to stop the war in Gaza, and to find a just, comprehensive and equitable solution that meets the aspirations of the brotherly Palestinian people, denouncing the serious Israeli violations of international humanitarian law.
In an opening speech on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman emphasized the keenness of Saudi Arabia and African countries to enhance cooperation in a way that contributes to establishing security and peace in the region and the entire world.
Prince Mohammed also condemned “the military aggression and targeting of civilians in the Gaza Strip, and the continued violations of international humanitarian law by the Israeli occupying authority,” noting the necessity of stopping the war and forced displacement, and creating conditions for the return of stability and peace.
Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairman of the African Union Commission, said that the Palestinian issue was at the heart of the problem of peace and security in the world.
“We are required to develop a very urgent practical plan that embodies the position of Africa, Saudi Arabia, and the Arab world, guaranteeing the rights of the Palestinian people to freedom, dignity and independence, as well as security and stability for countries and peoples of the whole region,” he stated.
The President of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh, said that Gaza was experiencing a new Nakba, adding that the seriousness of the current situation requires “an immediate response and a strong donation, to help our people and brothers in Gaza by all possible means.”
Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe, described the developments in Gaza as “unfortunate,” expressing his concern over the violation of international humanitarian rights, and reiterating the call to revive the political process towards lasting peace in the region.
In turn, President of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu voiced his concern about the situation in Palestine, praising Saudi Arabia’s commitment to protecting the legitimate rights of the Palestinians, and affirming his country’s support for a peaceful solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, in accordance with the principles and charters of the United Nations.
Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Chairman of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council, said that everyone was concerned about the destruction, killing and displacement taking place in Gaza. He also expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people and their right to establish their legitimate state on the borders of June 1967.
Saudi Crown Prince, Emir of Qatar Discuss Ceasefire in Gaza
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his meeting with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
- Riyadh: Asharq Al Awsat
06:24-11 November 2023 AD ـ 27 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1445 AH
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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani bilateral ties and the situation in the Gaza Strip, addressing efforts to ensure regional security and stability.
The Crown Prince received Sheikh Tamim at al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh where they reviewed the solid fraternal relations between the two countries.
The meeting also addressed ways to support and strengthen ties in various fields to achieve the common interests of the two brotherly countries and peoples.
The two leaders discussed current developments, especially in the Gaza Strip, and efforts to stop the aggression and protect civilians. They also addressed the urgent entry of aid and ways to support regional security and stability.
The talks were attended from the Saudi side by Minister of State Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd, Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki, Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud, and Minister of National Guard Prince Abdullah bin Bandar, Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman, Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet and National Security Adviser Musaed al-Aiban.
Several Qatari officials were also present at the meeting, including Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Chief of the Amiri Diwan Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Head of the State Security Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi, and several senior officials.