NAIROBI, Kenya
The Inter-Governmental
Authority on Development (IGAD) has called on the warring factions in the Sudan
conflict to ceasefire and settle their differences through dialogue, instead of
the ongoing fighting.Sudan's Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (R) and Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces commander, General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo
Sudan was plunged into the
latest round of fighting on April 14 after a paramilitary group called the
Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched attacks on the government positions in the
Capital City Khartoum.
A statement issued by IGAD
secretariat says the Executive Secretary of IGAD, Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, is extremely
alarmed by reports of fighting in different parts of Khartoum between Sudan
Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and is following the
situation closely.
“Dr Workneh urges both sides
to immediately cease fighting, de-escalate the situation, and resolve their
differences through dialogue,” the statement issued by the secretariat says.
“The Sudanese parties and
stakeholders, including SAF and RSF have made commendable progress in the past
few months towards signing a final political agreement and formation of a
civilian-led transitional government, and these reports of fighting will not
only cause setback, but will also cause serious insecurity and instability to
Sudan and the region at large,” he added.
BBC, citing a doctors’ union
statement reports that nearly 100 people have been killed and an estimated
1,100 others have been injured.
The BBC adds that both sides
claimed to control key installations in the capital Khartoum, where residents
sheltered from explosions.
Doctors have also warned that
the situation at hospitals in Khartoum is appalling, and that the fighting was
stopping both staff and medical supplies from reaching intended beneficiaries.
The IGAD statement further
indicates that the authority will stand in solidarity with the people of Sudan
who have found themselves in crossfire between the army and the militia group.
“The executive secretary urges
both sides to give dialogue a chance, cease hostilities, and allow the Sudanese
people continue observing Ramadhan fasting in peace. IGAD will continue to
stand in solidarity with the people of Sudan in their aspiration for peace,”
the statement says.
President Museveni has also
condemned the war and said it is not correct to misuse force at the expense of
dialogue and peace. He called for unconditional ceasefire between the warring
factions.
“I join my comrades, the Heads
of State of IGAD to express our deep concerns on the current situation in Sudan
and immediately call for a cessation of hostilities between the two sides. I
condemn the misuse of force in a situation that undermines all progress made
through dialogue over the last many months. We cannot keep papering over
mistakes of unprincipled politics year after year,” he said.
Mr Museveni said Sudan made
ideological and strategic mistakes in the past when they engaged in politics of
identity at the expense of common interests of all the Sudanese that eventually
led to breaking of the country into two.
“When I last visited Khartoum,
and in all the other meetings before, I always told the Sudanese about the
danger of ideological and strategic mistakes. We used to discuss with Gen
Bashir the dangers of encouraging the politics of identity of tribes, of race,
Arabs, Africans, identity of religion, Moslems and Christians. I used to tell
Gen Bashir that this is very dangerous for that country and indeed eventually
the country broke up into north and south,” he said.
“Now within the north, we
still see some of these problems. Therefore, it is not correct to go on
papering over mistakes year after year, decade after decade and the ordinary
people suffer so much on the account of ideological, strategic and political
mistakes. Leaders must have principal politics. Even when you are to fight, you
fight on principled cause, not fight just to cause loss of lives,” he added.
He said the only way this
conflict can be resolved is through dialogue, not fighting that endangers the
lives of the innocent people.
“An unconditional and
immediate cessation of hostilities to stop the tragedy and mockery of Africa is
of utmost importance,” Museveni said.
The US Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken called the fighting “dangerous
fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Security Forces, which
threatens the security and safety of Sudanese civilians and undermines efforts
to restore Sudan’s democratic transition.”
He said he had consulted with
Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and
Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan,
Foreign Minister of the United
Arab Emirates, about the
“We agreed it was essential for the parties to immediately end hostilities
without pre-condition. I urge General Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman al-Burhan and
General Mohamed Hamdan Degalo to take active measures to reduce tensions and
ensure the safety of all civilians. The only way forward is to return to
negotiations that support the Sudanese people’s democratic aspirations,” he
said.
“We continue to remain in
close touch with our Embassy in Khartoum and have full accountability of our
personnel. We also have been communicating with American citizens who may be in
the region about safety measures and other precautions,” Blinken added.
Other international voices
have also called for a permanent end to the violence in Sudan, noting that
peace should be given a chance.
Both Arab states and the US
have urged the two sides to resume talks aimed at restoring a civilian
government. The African Union last week announced that it is sending its top
diplomat, Moussa Faki Mahamat, to try to negotiate a ceasefire.
Both Egypt and South Sudan
also offered to mediate between the warring factions.
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