A Saudi diplomat has sparked controversy after appearing to acknowledge that Riyadh has supported Sudan’s army during the country’s war, including by helping facilitate weapons deals involving Pakistan.
In a video circulating online, the diplomat criticised Egypt’s approach to the conflict and appeared to openly describe Saudi Arabia as backing the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
The remarks could raise fresh questions over Riyadh’s position in the Sudan conflict, particularly given Saudi Arabia’s prominent role in diplomatic initiatives seeking to broker a ceasefire and political settlement.
According to comments attributed to the diplomat in the video, Saudi Arabia helped coordinate Pakistani arms supplies for the Sudanese army, including a range of military equipment such as armoured vehicles, tanks, aircraft and drones.
He also linked Saudi and Pakistani support to recent battlefield developments, claiming that the assistance had helped prevent further advances by the Rapid Support Forces.
The identity of the diplomat, the circumstances in which the remarks were made and the specific weapons transactions he referred to were not independently verified in the report.
The claims nevertheless add to scrutiny of Saudi Arabia’s role in Sudan, where Riyadh has publicly positioned itself as a mediator while hosting negotiations and diplomatic meetings aimed at ending the war.
If substantiated, the remarks would suggest a more direct Saudi role in supporting one side of the conflict than Riyadh has publicly acknowledged.
