IGAD Executive Secretary meets Sudanese leaders

July 30, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – Sovereign Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Prime Minister Kamel Idris held separate talks on Thursday with Workneh Gebeyehu, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

The meetings took place hours after the regional bloc reopened its office in Khartoum to resume operations for the first time since conflict erupted in April 2023.

Speaking at the reopening ceremony, Gebeyehu said the office will support peace efforts while contributing to reconstruction projects and engaging with local stakeholders.

The Sovereign Council said Burhan met with Gebeyehu alongside Foreign Minister Mohieddin Salem to exchange views on paths toward sustainable peace.

Gebeyehu stated that the delegation observed the destruction in Khartoum and reiterated IGAD’s condemnation of human rights violations in El Fasher and other war-affected areas.

Sudan resumed its IGAD membership last February after a two-year suspension prompted by the participation of RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo in a leaders’ summit in Uganda.

The IGAD official emphasized that the bloc aims to support Sudanese-led solutions rather than impose outside decisions, affirming that peace must be achieved by the Sudanese people.

He added that Sudanese political leaders and thinkers are best suited to shape the country’s future, with IGAD playing a facilitating role to support national initiatives.

Gebeyehu expressed IGAD’s readiness to assist all efforts led by Burhan and the Sudanese government to restore stability and rebuild infrastructure.

IGAD operates within a five-party mechanism alongside the African Union, United Nations, European Union, and Arab League to help Sudanese political forces initiate a political process.

In a separate meeting, Prime Minister Kamel Idris met with Gebeyehu to discuss key points of cooperation and joint efforts to rebuild war-torn regions.