President Kiir writes to Museveni over Sudan peace process
October 10, 2023 (JUBA) – South Sudan President Salva Kiir has written to his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni as part of regional efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
The Foreign Affairs minister, James Pitia Morgan told reporters in Juba on Tuesday that Kiir’s letter called for an extraordinary summit of the general assembly of the heads of state and government of the regional trade bloc (IGAD) members states.
“His Excellency, the president has been talking to the leaders in the region about how to address the conflict in Sudan in a more coordinated and unified way. For this reason, he has written to his Ugandan colleague on the situation explaining the view of the military leadership who requested him to mediate but you know that this can only happen through IGAD where an extraordinary summit of the heads of state of the member countries can be convened to discuss and come out with a resolution authorizing his excellency to lead the process”, he explained.
The conflict between the Sudanese army (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has killed more than 9,000 people since it started in mid-April, figures show.
President Kiir, the minister said, is concerned that the ongoing conflict in Sudan could spill over to other countries in the region if it continues.
Last month, Sudan’s acting Foreign minister, Ali al-Sadiq told reporters in Juba that Khartoum felt that South Sudan was better placed to mediate in the Sudanese conflict.
“We in Sudan feel that South Sudan is the best country to meditate the conflict in Sudan because we were one country for so long, and we know each other,” said Al-Sadiq.
He added, “We know the problems, and we know our needs”.
The conflict in Sudan, aid agencies say, has displaced more than 5 million people.
Already, however, talks of a permanent ceasefire have stalled despite several attempts to broker a deal between rival factions by Saudi Arabian and United States mediators.
Sudan’s military leadership has been pressing for a complete and unconditional withdrawal of the paramilitary RSF from the capital, Khartoum to designated cantonment sites if they were to engage in a peaceful talk to resolve political issues with the group.
(ST)