Addis Ababa, June 20, 2023 (FBC) – The Committee of Ministers of the IGAD Quartet group of countries held its first meaning on the current situation and developments in Sudan since 14th IGAD Ordinary Assembly, following a briefing by IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu.
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the IGAD Quartet Group of Countries met yesterday virtually and discussed in depth the modalities, timelines and approaches towards the implementation of the IGAD Roadmap for peace in the Republic of Sudan as unanimously adopted by the 14th Ordinary Session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government held on 12th June 2023 in Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti, IGAD said through a press release on Tuesday (June 20).
It is said that foreign Ministers in attendance at this meeting representing the IGAD Quartet group of countries were Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Djibouti and Chair of the IGAD Council of Ministers; Demeke Mekonnen Hassen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, and Deng Dau Deng, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of South Sudan.
Also, in attendance at this the meeting was the IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu and Amb. Bankole Adeoye, the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, in line with the decision of the 14th Ordinary IGAD Summit.
Following constructive deliberations, the Committee of Ministers of the IGAD Quartet group of countries agreed to:
- Faithfully implement the decision of the leaders in the 14th Ordinary Assembly of the IGAD Heads of State and Government IGAD-led process as elaborated in the IGAD Roadmap for peace in the Republic of Sudan presented to the IGAD Heads of State and Government and in close coordination and collaboration with the African Union and Sudanese parties and stakeholders in a manner that upholds the principle of subsidiarity and to ensure Sudanese-ownership and leadership of the peace process and further to this end, facilitate the participation of the African Union in all meetings and deliberations of the IGAD Quartet group of countries;
- Report to the IGAD Heads of State and Government on the progress made regarding preparations for the face-to-face meeting of the leaders of the two sides of the conflict in the Republic of Sudan in Addis Ababa, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in accordance to the stipulated timelines set out by the 14th ordinary IGAD Assembly;
- Work in the spirit of collective leadership, trust and transparency and ensure that all the concerns and requests of the Sudanese people are duly considered and addressed. called on the facilitators to coordinate and work closely with IGAD;
- Adopt a step-by-step approach towards the resolution of conflict in the Sudan, and in this regard to prioritize the realization of a face-to-face meeting as a means of unlocking key issues namely the cessation of hostilities and delivery of humanitarian aid;
- Welcome the Jeddah process and the recent 72-hour ceasefire Agreement facilitated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United States of America and the opportunity it has created to allow humanitarian access for the delivery of aid to affected civilian populations;
- Launch an all-inclusive political process aimed at achieving sustainable peace and peaceful transition to democracy and civilian rule to be hosted by the Republic of Kenya in mid-July or the first week of August 2023;
- Designate Senior Officials to coordinate the IGAD Quartet group of countries work and provide technical and advisory support;
- Appoint an IGAD Special Envoy for the Republic of Sudan as presented by the IGAD Executive Secretary and approved by the IGAD Council of Ministers to coordinate and lead mediation efforts;
- Channel all official communications regarding the work of the IGAD Quartet group of countries t through the IGAD Secretariat; and
- Regularly update the Heads of State and Government of the IGAD Quartet group of countries on the work of the Committee.