IGAD Summit: Urgent Call for Peace in Sudan Amid Ongoing Conflict

During the 41st Extraordinary Assembly of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Heads of State and Government, IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu called for peace in Sudan. He emphasised the urgency of silencing guns and creating a conducive environment for a comprehensive and inclusive dialogue among Sudan’s conflicting parties.

The Dire Situation in Sudan
The international community is deeply concerned about the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which has started to spread into previously unaffected areas. Atrocities, including war crimes and crimes against humanity, have been reported, adding to the urgency of resolving the crisis.

The Call for Peace
The Expanded Mechanism for the Resolution of the Conflict in Sudan reiterated the belief that there is no sustainable military solution to the crisis. It stressed the need for an inclusive, representative, Sudanese-owned and Sudanese-led dialogue among all Sudanese stakeholders to achieve a peaceful and sustainable solution. The parties to the conflict, namely the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), were urged to agree to a comprehensive and unconditional ceasefire and return to the negotiating table.

IGAD’s Role in Promoting Peace
IGAD, a regional bloc in Eastern Africa focused on development and security issues, provides a platform for its member states to discuss and strategise on collective measures to promote peace and development in the region. The bloc’s call for peace in Sudan reflects its commitment to regional cooperation and stability.

In conclusion, the IGAD assembly’s call for peace in Sudan is a reflection of the international community’s concern about the country’s instability. Gebeyehu’s plea for dialogue among the conflicting parties underlines the urgent need for a peaceful and sustainable resolution to the crisis.