IGAD’s Quartet to arrange face-to-face meeting between leadership of SAF and RSF within 10 days

On Jun 14, 2023 249

Addis Ababa, June 14, 2023 (FBC) – In the Final Communiqué of its 14th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, IGAD expressed alarm regarding the continued fighting and the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Sudan.

And in this regard, the regional bloc commended the unrelenting efforts of IGAD High-Level Delegation led by Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, towards the de-escalation of armed engagements and resolution of the conflict in the Republic of Sudan.

IGAD adopted the IGAD Roadmap for the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of Sudan involving participation of the IGAD High-Level Delegation for the Peace Process in the Republic of Sudan; the Quartet countries of Ethiopia, Djibouti, South Sudan and Kenya.

President of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto has been assigned to chair the Quartet Countries. The Quartet is said to work in close coordination with the African Union Commission.

According to the roadmap, within 10 days, the Quartet is requested to arrange face-to-face meeting between Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, the Chairperson of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of the Republic of Sudan, and Gen. Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo in one of the regional capitals.

And within 2 weeks, the Quartet is to secure a commitment from the leadership of SAF and RSF to establish a humanitarian corridor. Within 3 weeks the Quartet is tasked to initiate an inclusive political process towards a political settlement of the conflict in the Republic of Sudan.

IGAD also underlined the importance of consultation and coordination with the Government of the Sudan regarding all-inclusive efforts aiming at solving the ongoing conflict.

IGAD further appreciated the neighbouring states of the Republic of Sudan particularly the Republic of South Sudan that in spite of their own limited resources and existing challenges, have opened their borders to provide asylum and protection to refugees fleeing the conflict situation; and encouraged neighbouring countries to adopt favourable policies, practices and measures that facilitate the movement into and within the territories of Member States.