South Sudan President to brief regional leaders on Sudan situation
June 10, 2023 (JUBA) – South Sudan President Salva Kiir is scheduled to provide a comprehensive briefing to regional leaders on the situation in neighbouring Sudan.
In an official statement from his office on Saturday, President Kiir announced his upcoming visit to Djibouti, where an extraordinary summit will be held with heads of state and government to discuss regional developments. According to multiple official sources, the issue of Sudan is expected to take centre stage during the discussions.
Minister of Presidential Affairs Barnaba Marial Benjamin confirmed in an exclusive interview with Sudan Tribune on Saturday that the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) will convene its 14th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government in Djibouti on June 12, 2023.
President Kiir, along with other regional leaders, will brief the summit on the situation in Sudan, as he was appointed the lead coordinator for the Sudan situation by the regional leaders in April. Kenyan President William Ruto was assigned the role of secretary, while Djibouti President Ismail Omer Guelleh serves as a member.
The leaders had planned to travel to Khartoum after the conflict erupted. Still, the closure of the Sudanese airport due to the fighting between the Sudan Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF) prevented their visit.
Minister Benjamin shared that they are awaiting the program schedule from the secretariat to prepare for their departure to Djibouti on Monday, accompanied by the president and his officials. He emphasized the importance of accurate information dissemination and assured that the media and stakeholders would be promptly informed about the summit’s proceedings.
Minister Benjamin confirmed that the situation in Sudan would be one of the key topics discussed by the regional leaders.
It remains uncertain whether Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, Chairman of the Sovereign Council of Sudan, will attend or delegate one of his deputies. Gen Al-Burhan has two deputies: Lt Gen Shams al-Din Kabbashi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and Malik Agar, Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council.
Lt Gen Kabbashi has consistently expressed his unwavering support and loyalty to Gen Al-Burhan’s leadership as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and chairman of the Sovereign Council.
The upcoming summit holds significant importance in addressing the evolving situation in Sudan. President Kiir’s briefing will contribute to regional efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire between the rival forces.
(ST)