The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent congratulatory telegrams to His Excellency President Antonio José Seguro on the occasion of his victory in the presidential elections in the Republic of Portugal, in a step that reflects the depth of diplomatic and protocol relations that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is keen to strengthen with friendly countries.

In his telegram, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques expressed his sincerest congratulations and best wishes for success to His Excellency in his new presidential duties, affirming the Kingdom's commitment to maintaining strong bonds of friendship. The telegram also included the King's wishes for further progress and prosperity for the friendly people of the Republic of Portugal, noting the importance of stability and growth, which nations aspire to at this time.

Strengthening bilateral relations

For his part, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent a similar congratulatory cable to His Excellency President António José Seguro. His Royal Highness expressed his sincerest congratulations and best wishes for success and prosperity to His Excellency and to the friendly people of the Republic of Portugal for continued progress and advancement. This message of congratulations reflects the Saudi leadership's commitment to strengthening international relations and building bridges of communication with world leaders.

This congratulatory message holds particular significance within the context of Saudi-Portuguese relations. The Kingdom and the Republic of Portugal enjoy longstanding ties of friendship and cooperation, encompassing diverse economic and cultural fields. Exchanging congratulations on national occasions and elections is a well-established diplomatic custom that reflects mutual respect and a shared desire to enhance bilateral cooperation in a way that serves the interests of both countries and their friendly peoples.

Prospects for future cooperation

The victory of President António José Seguro in the presidential elections is seen as a significant event on the Portuguese political scene, with the international community looking forward to Portugal continuing to play its vital role within the European Union and on the global stage. Messages from the Saudi leadership affirm the Kingdom's support for development and stability efforts in Portugal and its eagerness to work with the new leadership to promote international peace and security, as well as to explore investment and economic cooperation opportunities that align with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the shared interests of both sides.

In a significant development in a case that has captivated global public opinion for years, the US Department of Justice has granted members of Congress full access to unredacted files related to the case of the late billionaire Jeffrey Epstein. This move comes in response to mounting pressure and widespread controversy sparked by previous redactions that omitted the names of prominent figures mentioned in recently released documents, raising questions about transparency in handling this sensitive case.

Controversy over censorship and concealing names

Although U.S. law explicitly prohibits the concealment of government information to avoid embarrassment or political sensitivity, several members of Congress, led by Democratic Representative Ro Khanna, have expressed deep skepticism regarding the extensive redactions of more than three million documents. Khanna released examples of emails in which the names of correspondents who contacted Epstein were redacted, emphasizing that concealing the identities of politically or economically powerful figures is a clear violation of the law and an infringement on the public's right to know.

Ghislaine Maxwell and the presidential pardon bargain

In related legal developments, Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's partner convicted of involvement in his sex trafficking ring, refused to answer questions from a U.S. House of Representatives committee. Her defense team stated that their client would not cooperate with the ongoing investigation unless she received a presidential pardon from President Donald Trump, further complicating the investigation and efforts to uncover the full truth.

Background to the case: A complex web of relationships and an ambiguous ending

The roots of this case lie in the accusations against Jeffrey Epstein of running a vast network for trafficking and sexually exploiting underage girls—charges that rocked American and international circles due to Epstein's extensive network of connections. His name was linked to powerful political and economic figures, as well as celebrities and members of royal families, making his case a ticking time bomb that many feared would explode.

Epstein was found dead in his cell at the Manhattan Correctional Center in August 2019, while awaiting trial, in an incident officially recorded as a suicide, but which continues to fuel conspiracy theories and suspicions to this day about whether someone wanted to silence him forever.

The importance and impact of opening files

The Justice Department's decision to release the files to Congress is of paramount importance, extending far beyond its domestic legal dimensions. It is seen as a true test of the integrity of American institutions and their ability to hold the powerful accountable. The release of redacted names and details of correspondence is expected to trigger political and social upheavals that could affect the reputations of prominent figures and reshape the public discourse surrounding issues of abuse of power and influence. Furthermore, Congress's insistence on uncovering the truth reflects a desire to restore public trust in a justice system whose image has been tarnished by the secrecy surrounding this case for years.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reiterated its firm stance calling for the preservation of Sudan's unity, security, and stability, emphasizing the importance of protecting legitimate state institutions from collapse amidst the current crisis. In a strongly worded official statement, the Kingdom demanded that the Rapid Support Forces immediately cease all violations and adhere to the ethical and humanitarian obligations imposed by international law, particularly regarding ensuring the unimpeded delivery of urgent relief aid to those in need.

This firm stance was expressed during the participation of the Kingdom's Permanent Mission to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, in the interactive dialogue concerning the oral briefing by the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the deteriorating situation in El Fasher and surrounding areas. The Kingdom's Permanent Representative, Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khathila, delivered a statement expressing the Kingdom's strong condemnation and denunciation of the grave human rights violations committed by the Rapid Support Forces during their recent attacks.

The statement addressed the criminal attacks targeting vital health facilities, aid convoys, and civilian infrastructure, resulting in the deaths of dozens of displaced persons and unarmed civilians, including women and children, in flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. The Kingdom reiterated the necessity of adhering to the Jeddah Declaration, signed on May 11, 2023, which explicitly stipulates the commitment to protecting civilians in Sudan. This agreement was sponsored by the Kingdom and the United States of America with the aim of alleviating human suffering.

These calls come within the context of the Kingdom's ongoing commitment to ending the conflict in Sudan, which began in mid-April 2023. Riyadh has played a pivotal role in hosting talks between the warring parties. El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, holds immense strategic and humanitarian importance, serving as a major hub for displaced persons and aid distribution. Targeting the city would constitute a humanitarian catastrophe, threatening the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians and exacerbating the refugee and displacement crisis in the region.

The Kingdom concluded its statement by emphasizing that a political solution is the only way to end the crisis, calling on the international community to intensify pressure to ensure the protection of civilians and a ceasefire, and renewing its commitment to continue diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to support the brotherly Sudanese people in their current ordeal until security and stability are restored throughout Sudan.