Published on 19/01/2024
The 42nd Extraordinary Assembly of Heads of State and Government organized by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), took place at State House in Entebbe and was graciously hosted by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Leading the assembly was H.E. Ismail Omar Guelleh, the President of Djibouti and Chairperson of the IGAD Heads of State and Government. Among the distinguished attendees were H.E. Dr. William Ruto, President of Kenya; H.E. Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of Somalia; and H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of South Sudan.
In a unified statement, the leaders condemned the Sudan war as unjust, emphasizing that the Republic of Sudan belongs to its people. They urged an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to put an end to the conflict.
The leaders reiterated their call for dialogue and negotiation, expressing IGAD’s commitment to facilitating an inclusive peace process in collaboration with Sudanese stakeholders, the African Union (AU), and international actors.
Taking a step towards concrete measures, the Heads of State proposed a face-to-face meeting within 14 days between Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces, and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, the head of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, to initiate reconciliation.
They directed the IGAD Secretariat, in coordination with the AU, to revise the roadmap for the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of Sudan, ensuring a clear timeline.
The leaders’ collective appeal extended beyond IGAD, urging the African Union and the international community to mobilize support for the peace process in Sudan. President Museveni, addressing the media, stressed that the conflicting parties must halt what he termed the “unprincipled war.”
President Museveni shared historical insights, drawing parallels with the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa, highlighting the ANC’s commitment to peaceful methods for 50 years before resorting to armed struggle in the face of closed avenues for peaceful resolution.
He criticized the inclination towards unnecessary conflicts as ideological shallowness.
Simultaneously, the leaders issued a strong call for peace and dialogue, urging Ethiopia and Somalia to de-escalate tensions and embrace constructive dialogue. They reaffirmed their commitment to respecting the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
Headquartered in Djibouti city, Djibouti, IGAD is an eight-country trade bloc in Africa, bringing together governments from the Horn of Africa, the Nile Valley, and the African Great Lakes region.
