IGAD Quartet proposes unified peace initiative for Sudan

September 6, 2023 (NAIROBI) – Heads of State and Government of the IGAD Quartet Group of Countries have reiterated the call for a structured approach towards peace talks between the warring parties involved in Sudan’s ongoing conflict as well as all-inclusive consultations with civilian actors.

At a meeting held on the margins of the 2023 Africa Climate Summit in Kenya, the leaders also urged IGAD and the Africa Union to combine their efforts with other countries neighbouring Sudan for a single and an all-inclusive IGAD-AU platform.

The Kenyan President William Ruto chaired the meeting which was attended by his South Sudanese counterpart, Salva Kiir Mayardit and the Djibouti President, Ismail Omar Guelleh. Also in attendance were Dr. Abreham Belay, Minister of Defence of Ethiopia representing, the IGAD Executive Secretary, Workneh Gebeyehu and the chairperson of African Union Commission (AUC), Moussa Faki.

At the meeting, the leaders expressed concerns that the situation in Sudan has not improved with fighting escalating, expanding and extending to other regions.

A resolution issued at the end of the meeting said the leader condemned the ongoing war and called upon the warring parties to immediately halt all hostilities.

The IGAD Quartet “reiterates that there is no military solution to the conflict in the Republic of Sudan and in this regard, re-commits the Quartet Heads of State and Government to delivering a face-to-face meeting between the warring parties”.

According to the resolution, it further “Mandates IGAD and the African Union to accelerate the consultations to map the agenda, venue and identify participants and other relevant matters in support of a political dialogue that clearly defines a Sudanese-owned and Sudanese-led political process”.

Meanwhile the Quartet pledged commitment to mobilize $1 million from each IGAD member state for humanitarian assistance to support the peace process in Sudan.

(ST)