South Sudan welcomes calls for mediation in neighbouring Sudan’s conflict
February 13, 2024 (JUBA) – South Sudan expressed readiness to mediate a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Sudan following calls from various Sudanese groups.
The country’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Ramadan Mohamed Abdallah Goch, highlighted the shared history and cultural ties between the two nations, stating, “We are one people bonded by history, blood, marriage, geography, and more importantly, we were once a country until 2011.”
Emphasizing the shared history and bonds between the peoples of Sudan and South Sudan, Mr. Goch, head of the secretariat for the Sudan peace mediation team, expressed support for mediation efforts led by His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
“Peace in Sudan is critical for regional stability and contributes to global security,” Goch stated. “We are morally bound to help our brothers and sisters, and believe President Kiir’s mediation could be a step towards lasting peace.”
He noted that Sudanese political groups, including the Democratic Bloc, have been holding meetings and advocating for a comprehensive national dialogue.
The coalition issued a call on Monday for a comprehensive national dialogue among all Sudanese citizens to address the underlying causes of the political crisis in the country.
Established in November 2022, the bloc comprises the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) under Gibril Ibrahim, the Sudan Liberation Movement headed by Minni Minawi (SLM-MM), the Democratic Justice Alliance led by Mubarak Ardol, and the Democratic Unionist Party led by Gafaar al-Mirghani.
The Republican Party, the Beja Supreme Council led by Mohamed Al-Amin Terik, the National Movement Forces are part of the coalition under former Darfur leader El Tijani Sisi, and several breakaway groups.
For his part, El Tijani Sisi, Chair of the National Movement Forces, stressed the importance of an inclusive dialogue involving all stakeholders, warning against the dangers of exclusion.
He urged the parties to build upon existing ceasefire agreements made in May 2023 and address the root causes of the conflict, which extend back to pre-independence times. He further emphasized the need to address the root causes of the conflict, including identity divisions and lack of consensus on governance.
(ST)