Civil society group urges dialogue to resolve Sudan’s crisis

October 26, 2021 (JUBA) – Stakeholders in Sudan must immediately return to dialogue to restore constitutional order and the country’s transitional process, Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) said on Tuesday.

On Monday, the head of Sudan’s ruling council, General Abdel Fattah Burhan dissolved civilian rule, arrested political leaders and announced a state of emergency across the country.

The move has attracted protests amidst demands for an immediate return to civilian rule.

CEPO said Sudan, the current chair of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), requires support from regional leaders to consolidate peace and democratic gains.

“The act of arresting the active chair of IGAD totally undermines the regional body and should strongly be condemned,” said Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of CEPO.

He called for an urgent meeting of IGAD heads of states and governments, saying the situation in Sudan could have serious implications on the region.

“South Sudan and Sudan have mutual political relations in the process of political transitioning from the violence to peace. The issue of the agreement on the four freedoms between South Sudan and Sudan will be affected by these latest developments in Sudan,” stressed Yakani.

He added, “It is high time the African Union took serious measures for the protection of the IGAD sitting chair and sitting head of government of its member state from arrests and detention”.

The South Sudanese civil society organization further called for joint interventions from both regional and international bodies to ensure a peaceful political transition is restored in Sudan.

(ST)