South Africa’s Ramaphosa raises alarm over Sudan’s humanitarian crisis

April 19, 2024 (JUBA) – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed deep concern about the worsening humanitarian situation in Sudan during his three-day visit to South Sudan. He warned that the crisis is destabilizing the entire region.

In a speech, Ramaphosa highlighted the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, stating, “South Africa is deeply concerned about the conflict and its resulting humanitarian catastrophe, which is spilling over to neighbouring countries.”

President Ramaphosa pledged support for the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional bloc focusing on economic development, security, and peaceful relations in eastern Africa. Since April 2023, IGAD has been working to end hostilities in Sudan, secure a ceasefire, and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.

“We support the role of IGAD and the African Union in resolving the conflict in Sudan,” Ramaphosa said. “We urge them to intensify their efforts to bring about peace and stability.”

While Ramaphosa did not specify South Africa’s direct role in the conflict, his visit underscores the country’s commitment to finding a solution as the current chair of the AU’s High-Level Ad-hoc Committee for South Sudan.

South Africa’s involvement extends beyond Sudan. The country is also a guarantor of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), which aims to end the long-running civil war in that nation.