General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, head of Sudan's armed forces, travelled to Jeddah on Monday for talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with discussions centred on securing Sudan's stability and sovereignty as the country's civil war — now in its fourth year — continues between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Saudi Arabia has been a key backer of the Sudanese military, providing political and financial support, and has played a leading mediation role alongside the US, Egypt, and the UAE. The visit also comes ahead of a planned Sudanese-Saudi business forum in June, with bilateral trade estimated at $8 billion and Saudi investment in Sudan exceeding $35 billion, largely directed at agricultural projects.