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The UAE facilitated a prisoner exchange agreement between Russia and Ukraine for the seventh time this year, Wam reports. The swap led to the release of 115 prisoners from each side, and marked the first exchange since Ukraine’s surprise attack on Russia’s Kursk region on 6 August, Reuters reported. The total number of captives exchanged through UAE mediation now stands at nearly 1.8k. The UAE assisted in six prisoner exchanges between the two countries from January to July 2024.
ALSO IN SUPPORT OF UKRAINE- The UAE sent over 1k tons of medical, food, and relief aid to Ukraine, deploying 14 aid planes and two ships through Romania, Al Bayan reports. The aid includes 7.5k laptops and 10k school bags, 50 ambulances, and some 4.5k electric generators for winter and power outages.
Sudan ceasefire talks wrap with no resolution: Peace talks attended by the UAE in Switzerland aimed at resolving Sudan’s 16-month war ended on Friday with no resolution after the Sudanese Armed Forces refused to attend, Bloomberg reported. “Though we were in consistent communication with SAF virtually, we regret their decision not to be present, and we believe that limited our ability to make more substantial progress towards key issues, particularly a national cessation of hostilities,” the mediators said in a statement.
What did come out of the talks: The mediators — which included Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, the US, the UN, and Egypt — were able to secure permission for the UN to use the Adre border from Chad into Sudan to deliver humanitarian aid, and to facilitate aid to Zamzam Camp and other parts of Darfur, according to the statement. They also received confirmation from the Rapid Support Forces that they would refrain from violations against women and children.
Background: The US-brokered talks — which were co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and Switzerland on 14-23 August — took place under the newly formed group named Aligned to Advance Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan (ALPS).
OTHER DIPLOMACY NEWS-
- The UAE and the Republic of Mauritania will cooperate on communication and coordination in the field of Islamic affairs, Chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, and Zakat, Omar Habtoor Al Darei and Mauritanian Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djay agreed during a sit-down. (Wam)
- A royal invitation to the UAE President: State Minister Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan received an invitation for President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to attend the eighth edition of the Future Investment Initiative Forum 2024 in Riyadh. (Wam)
- President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, discussed improving bilateral relations between both countries in development, economic cooperation, and trade. (Wam)
- Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability Abdulla Balalaa emphasized the importance of pouring “responsible” investments in the mining sector at the United Nation’s Critical Energy Transition Minerals (CETM) Panel held in Nairobi, Kenya. (Wam)
