IGAD chair, RSF leader discuss peace in Sudan
December 31, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh and Rapid Support Forces leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo Hemetti discussed ways to end the Sudanese conflict under the auspices of the East African bloc.
Hemetti, who left Sudan through Chad, recently toured friendly and IGAD countries, including UAE, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Ghana, before arriving in Djibouti on Sunday.
In a statement released after his meeting with President Guelleh, Hemetti said he briefed the IGAD leader about the latest developments in Sudan in light of the ongoing war.
He stated, “I presented to His Excellency President Oguelleh our vision to stop the war and reach a comprehensive solution that will end the suffering of our great people.”
He further stated, “I affirmed our full commitment to the outcomes of the meeting of the IGAD leaders and our unconditional readiness to negotiate to achieve a just and comprehensive peace.”
In an extraordinary meeting held on December 9, 2023, the IGAD head of state and government decided to hold a one-on-one meeting between the Chairman of the Sovereign Council, Abdel al-Fattah al-Burhan and Hemetti, facilitated by the IGAD.
Some RSF figures stated that Hemetti wants the meeting to be attended by all the IGAD leaders to guarantee the implementation of its outcome. They added that they have no trust in al-Burhan.
Djibouti Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf stated that the meeting between Oguelleh and Hemetti falls within the framework of Djibouti’s efforts, in its capacity as President of IGAD, to reach a ceasefire in brotherly Sudan.
On Saturday, he stated that as chair of IGAD, Djibouti would prepare the ground for Sudanese dialogue and host a critical meeting next week.
(ST)