Regional leaders meet in Ethiopia to discuss Sudan peace prospects

By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - Leaders of the East African regional block Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) met Monday in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa to discuss the conflict in Sudan which has been going on since April this year.

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed hosted the meeting presided by Kenyan President William Ruto.

Also in attendance were IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths, Djibouti's Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and representatives from South Sudan.

“The situation in Sudan is dire: millions of people have been displaced while lives lost have hit more than 2,000,” Ruto said in a statement after the meeting.

He added that the intensity and scale of the humanitarian crisis is a harrowing tragedy that calls for a bold and an all-inclusive peace dialogue.

The regional block Quartet States called on the parties to conflict in Sudan to declare and observe an unconditional cease-fire and establish a humanitarian zone spanning a radius of 30 kilometers (18.64 miles) in Khartoum to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance, according to the statement.

“This step will lead to the resumption of the final phase of the political process, paving way for the formation of an inclusive transitional process that will lay the foundation for sustainable peace, stable and prosperous Sudan,” Ruto said.

Meanwhile, US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee will travel to Ethiopia on Monday to meet with African leaders.

“.@AsstSecStateAF will travel to Addis Ababa on July 10-11 to engage with African leaders, including senior reps of govts in the region and of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the @_AfricanUnion Commission. Phee will also meet with Sudanese civilians committed to ending the conflict and restoring democratic governance in Sudan,” according to a statement issued by the official US Africa Media Hub.

Sudan has been ravaged by clashes between the army and the RSF since April, in a conflict that killed nearly 3,000 civilians and injured thousands, according to local medics.