Sudan’s Agar explains IGAD suspension to South Sudan’s Kiir
February 14, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudan’s Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council, Malik Agar, held talks with South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir on Wednesday, explaining the reasons behind Sudan’s recent suspension of its membership in the IGAD.
According to a Sovereign Council statement, Agar, accompanied by Finance Minister Gibril Ibrahim, discussed bilateral issues and Sudan’s position on regional peace initiatives.
“We discussed our stance on the African Union and IGAD’s regional efforts, and I explained the rationale behind our IGAD membership suspension. President Kiir received this explanation constructively,” Agar said
Sudan suspended its IGAD membership on January 18th after the organization’s leaders rejected the Sovereign Council President’s request not to discuss the internal conflict. Additionally, they met with the commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) without prior consultations with the military-led government.
Repeating his government’s stance from the Jeddah platform, Agar linked the resumption of the process to the fulfilment of specific conditions, including the evacuation of residential areas and the return of displaced civilians to their homes, as stipulated in agreements signed in May 2023.
He further emphasized the importance of resolving African issues within the African Union framework.
The statement mentioned ongoing military operations against RSF’s positions alluding to Omdurman, Khartoum Bahri and since Wednesday in Al-Jazirah State.
No official statement was released by South Sudan’s Presidency regarding the meeting. Notably, Juba has recently refrained from issuing statements about President Kiir’s meetings with Sudanese parties.
(ST)