Sudan Conflict: IGAD Picks Kiir, Ruto & Guelleh to Lead Delegation to Khartoum

The 40th Extraordinary Assembly of the IGAD Heads of State and Government held virtually on Sunday, 16th April 2023, called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

The Heads of State expressed alarm on the deteriorating security situation in the Republic of Sudan as a result of the fighting that broke out in the morning of Saturday, 15th April 2023, between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in different parts of Khartoum and Merowe that has since spread to other parts of the country in particular Darfur.

They noted with concern the numerous civilian causalities and extensive destruction of property as a result of the fighting and called on the two parties to: immediately and unconditionally cease hostilities; de-escalate tensions; and allow unfettered humanitarian access and ensure Sudanese citizens to observe the holy month of Ramadan in peace;

They acknowledged that the civilian and military signatories of the Political Framework Agreement of 5th December 2022 including SAF and RSF have made commendable progress in the past few months towards the signing of a final political agreement that paves the way to the formation of a transitional government.

The Heads of State urged civilian parties and stakeholders in the Republic of Sudan to engage in assisting the cessation of fighting and return to the negotiation table in consultation and coordination with the Trilateral Mechanism and called on the signatories to the Political Framework Agreement together with other key non-signatory forces to resolve outstanding sticky issues and set a new date for the signing of a final agreement and formation of a civilian-led transitional government, and to further consider the Juba Peace Agreement as a fundamental mechanism for Sudan’s peace process.

They also agreed to send a high-level delegation led by H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit; President of the Republic of South Sudan; and composed of H.E. Dr William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya; and H.E. Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti; to Khartoum at the earliest time possible to engage the two leaders to resume negotiations on all outstanding issues including security and military reform, and report back to the Assembly; and in the interim encouraged IGAD leaders to use their good offices to directly engage with the leadership of SAF and RSF.

The meeting resolved to convene an Ordinary Session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government in the shortest time possible either in-person or virtual format to deliberate on IGAD institutional matters and other issues of concern in the region and directed the IGAD Executive Secretary to consult with the IGAD Heads of States and Government on the appropriate date and to immediately commence preparations for the Summit.

The meeting was moderated by H.E. Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, the Executive Secretary of IGAD, in the absence of H.E. General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, the Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of the Republic of the Sudan and Chair of the IGAD Heads of State and Government.

It was attended by H.E. Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti; H.E. Dr William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya; H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit; President of the Republic of South Sudan; H.E. Dr Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia; and H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni; President of the Republic of Uganda.

Also in attendance were: H.E. Ambassador Ismail Wais (PhD), IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan and representative of IGAD in the Trilateral Mechanism of the African Union, IGAD, and the United Nations for Sudan; and H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Ali Guyo, IGAD Special Envoy for the Read Sea, Gulf of Aden and Somalia.