Communiqué of the 42nd Extraordinary Assembly of IGAD Heads of State and Government

The 42nd Extraordinary Assembly of the IGAD Heads of State and Government was held on Thursday, 18th January 2024, in Entebbe, Republic of Uganda, on the situation in the Republic of Sudan and recent developments regarding the relation between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia;
The Assembly was chaired by Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti and the Chairperson of the IGAD Heads of State and Governments of other countries, Uganda, Somalia, South Sudan, Eritrea, and Kenya.
While the Republic of Sudan and the Federal Republic of Ethiopia declined to attend the Summit.
The Assembly
Deeply concerned by the recent developments regarding the relationship between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia;
Reaffirmed the cardinal principles of respect for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia any engagement should uphold the above cardinal principles, and any agreement or arrangement should be with the consent of the Federal Government of Somalia;
Called upon the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia to de-escalate tensions and instead engage in constructive dialogue;
Concerned by the continued fighting in the Republic of the Sudan and the dire security and humanitarian situation occasioned by the war, reiterated its call for the parties to the conflict to commit to dialogue and negotiation; and in this regard, expressed IGAD’s continued readiness to offer its good offices to facilitate an all-inclusive peace process to end the conflict in close collaboration with all Sudanese stakeholders, AU, and regional and international actors;
Emphasized that the Republic of the Sudan does not belong to the parties to the conflict only but the Sudanese people and reiterated their call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire as well as a cessation of hostilities to end this unjust war affecting the people of Sudan to pave way for political dialogue;
Underscored the primary responsibility of IGAD Member States to ensure the will of the people of the Sudan prevails;
Recalled the commitment of the parties to the conflict for a face-to-face meeting within 14 days and called upon the parties to meet within two weeks;
Stressed that IGAD Member States will utilize all means and capabilities to ensure the conflict in the Sudan is resolved peacefully and directed the IGAD Secretariat to provide an update to the Assembly;
Directed the IGAD Secretariat in coordination with the AUC to revise the Roadmap for the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of the Sudan that was adopted at the 14th Ordinary Session of the IGAD Heads of State and Government with clear timelines; and within one month to convene a Sudanese-owned and Sudanese-led process towards a democratic Government in the Sudan;
Called upon IGAD in coordination with AU and international community to mobilize support for the peace process with the aim of resolving the conflict in the Republic of the Sudan;
Welcomed the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for appointing members of a High-Level Panel for Sudan and called on the Panel to work closely and collaboratively with IGAD and other stakeholders in facilitating the peace process in Sudan; and
Decided to remain actively seized of these matters.