South Sudan reiterates call for peaceful dialogue in Sudan
September 11, 2024 (JUBA) – South Sudan on Wednesday reiterated the importance of peaceful dialogue in ending Sudan’s ongoing conflict, citing previous experiences drawn from the region.
South Sudan’s minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Albino Akol Atak said floods and Sudan’s conflict are exacerbating the economic and humanitarian situation in the country.
“When you are in a situation which require the support of a neigbour and the neigbour is also in the same or even worse than your situation, it becomes a major concern. The war in Sudan is a major economic, security, political and security concern not to only us in South Sudan but also the region. Because of this dire situation, we are seeing war not a substitute to peaceful settlement of the situation in Sudan. we believe that peace in Sudan means in the region because Sudan is located in a strategic position in the Horn of Africa, Eastern, Sahel and northern Africa,” he explained.
The conflict in Sudan has affected the flow of oil from South Sudan to the international market.
South Sudan’s economy heavily relies on revenue generated from crude oil transported via Sudan.
The disruption has led to a surge in the consumer prices as it is the only source of export and largely main source of income for the government and the purchases of goods and services.
In a bid to address the situation, however, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and members of his administration have been contacting and joining efforts with the regional bloc, intergovernmental authority on development-IGAD and the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) convene session at the level of Heads of State and Governments on the situation in Sudan.
Kiir, working through the IGAD secretariat and his ministry of foreign affairs advocated a summit-level session on Sudan.
Uganda’s President and chairperson of the PSC for the month of June, Yoweri Museveni presided over the session. The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat and Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the chair of the AU High-Level Panel on Sudan and High Representative for Silencing the Guns, briefed the Peace and Security Council on the situation in Sudan.
Statements also came from the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, IGAD Executive Secretary, Workneh Gebeyehu and his League of Arab States counterpart, Ahmed Aboul Gheit,
The meeting discussed the state of the stalling regional and international diplomatic efforts to end the conflict and developed a three-pronged approach to address the situation in war-hit Sudan.
Among other things, however, the meeting proposed shuttle diplomacy with various stakeholders to mobilize support; enhanced coordination with partners and regional organizations to consolidate mediation efforts and avoid duplication as well as convening an inclusive inter-Sudanese political dialogue focusing on ending the conflict and charting a course for the future of the country.
It was also agreed that the Jeddah Process proceeds in two phases, the planning and the main phase. The planning phase was expected to address a variety of issues that will set the tone for the main phase, including categories of entities or individuals and the role of the international community.
It was meant to pave the way for the convening of ‘all-inclusive inter-Sudanese Dialogue’.
Some of those who received the invitation were concerned that there was no adequate consultation such as on the invitation extended to the representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
More than 16 months of war in Sudan has killed nearly 20,000 people, the United Nations estimates, a grim figure amid a devastating conflict in the country.
(ST)