IAGD Quartet strongly urges Sudanese parties to immediately stop violence, sign unconditional ceasefire

Addis Ababa, July 10, 2023 (FBC) – The Heads of State and Government of the IGAD Quartet Group of Countries met in Addis Ababa, Federal Democratic of Ethiopia to discuss in depth the implementation of the IGAD Roadmap for peace in the Republic of Sudan.

The meeting was chaired by William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and in attendance at this Summit representing the IGAD Quartet group of countries were, Abiy Ahmed Ali (PhD), Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Djibouti representing the President of the Republic of Djibouti and Chairperson of IGAD; and Benjamin Bol Mel, Special Envoy of the Republic of South Sudan, representing the President of the Republic of South Sudan and Deputy Chairperson of IGAD.

Also, in attendance at this the meeting was the IGAD Executive Secretary, Workneh Gebeyehu and Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security as well as representatives of the UN-OCHA, European Union, the Republic of Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States of America and the United Kingdom. Also in attendance was Yousif Izzat representing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Following welcome remarks by the host of the meeting, Abiy Ahmed Ali (PhD), Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the opening statement by the Chair of the IGAD Quartet, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and a detailed briefing by the IGAD Executive Secretary, the Heads of State and Government of the IGAD Quartet group of countries deliberated on the current situation and developments in the Republic of the Sudan.

Following these constructive deliberations, the members of the IGAD Quartet group of countries thanked Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, the people and Government of the Federal democratic Republic of Ethiopia for hosting the 1st Meeting of the Heads of State and Government of the IGAD Quartet and the warm welcome extended to delegates from Member States and other participants.

The members commended the initiative of the Chair as well as Members of the IGAD Quartet for engaging neighbouring countries and all other stakeholders to support ongoing efforts towards the silencing the guns, resolution of the conflict in the Republic of Sudan and restoration of the civilian-led democratic transition;

They appreciated the African Union for closely working in coordination with the IGAD Quartet in harmonizing effort towards the implementation of a common roadmap for the peaceful resolution of the crisis in the Republic of Sudan; and noted the regrettable absence of the delegation of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) in spite of the invitation and confirmation of attendance.

Quartet members acknowledged the continuing efforts of the United Nations and key regional and international partners including the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with whom the IGAD Quartet shares an equal commitment to the cause of peace in the Republic of Sudan.

Taking note of the planned meeting of states neighboring the Republic of Sudan scheduled to be held in the Republic of Egypt on Thursday, 13th July 2023 and welcoming the complementary role that this initiative will play in supporting the shared objectives of the IGAD Quartet for peace and stability in the Republic of Sudan, they appreciated the efforts of the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia whose concern and commitment to peace in Sudan is very visible through the Jeddah talks.

Expressed deep concern regarding the impact of the ongoing war in the Republic of Sudan which has so far killed thousands of people, and displaced almost 3 million people including 2.2 million IDPs and nearly 615,000 refugees that have crossed the border into neighboring countries, and appreciated the neighboring states of the Republic of Sudan that have opened their borders to provide protection to Sudanese brothers and sisters.

Further concerned by the escalation of the conflict, repeated violations of the various ceasefire agreements and the spread of violence outside of Khartoum to the other parts of Sudan particularly in Darfur as well as Kordofan where it is assuming ethnic and religious dimensions thereby threatening to deepen the polarization in the country; and regrets that this escalation driven by external interference that is prolonging and exacerbating the conflict, they underscores that there is no military solution to the conflict in the Republic of Sudan and in this regard, decides to mobilize and concentrate the efforts of all stakeholders towards delivering a face-to-face meeting between the leaders of the warring parties.

The Quartet strongly urged the parties to immediately stop the violence and sign an unconditional and indefinite ceasefire through a cessation of hostilities agreement that shall be supported by an effective enforcement and monitoring mechanism.

Concerned by the degenerating humanitarian situation in the Republic of Sudan, the Quartet decided to take concrete steps to facilitate immediate humanitarian assistance to all Sudanese affected by the conflict with a focus on vulnerable population in particular, Women Children and Persons living with disability;

Further resolves to request the East Africa Standby Force (EASF) summit to convene in order to consider the possible deployment of the EASF for the protection of civilians and guarantee humanitarian access, the Quartet called upon states neighboring the Republic of Sudan to step up efforts for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and to take necessary measures to ease and lift any logistical barriers to the delivery of humanitarian aid including visa and customs requirements;

Appalled by the reports of widespread serious human rights abuses including sexual  violence targeting girls and women, condemns the ongoing violations and in this regard, commits to work closely with the international community to put in place a robust monitoring and accountability mechanism that will be instrumental in bringing perpetrators to justice;

Mindful of the sovereignty of the Republic of the Sudan, the Quartet committed to undertake all measures to safeguard its territorial integrity, and underlined the centrality of the Sudanese people and noting their aspiration for a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Sudan, commits to support measures that address the root causes of the crisis in the Republic of the Sudan. In this regard, the Quartet urged all Sudanese actors to engage in an all-inclusive Sudanese-owned and Sudanese-led dialogue towards a sustainable peace; in this regard, IGAD in coordination with the AU will immediately commence on a of civilian engagement process that will deliver on these objectives.

Quartet noted the various diplomatic efforts to mediate the conflict in the Republic of Sudan,  emphasizes the centrality of IGAD in coordinating the different diplomatic tracks alongside the African Union to harmonize all efforts in a coordinated and collaborative framework that demonstrates unity of purpose to deliver a real and lasting peace deal for the people of the Republic of Sudan;

Finally, the Quartet strongly Condemns the repeated violations of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) as manifested in the attacks and looting of diplomatic missions and premises in Khartoum and demands the protection of these premises in areas under the control of the warring parties.