On Thursday, Ethiopia announced its intentions to act as a mediator in the Sudanese conflict, proposing to host peace negotiations between key Sudanese figures, including the Chairman of the Sudanese Sovereign Council, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the commander of the Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, in its capital, Addis Ababa.
In a statement, the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry stated that the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional grouping that includes all East African nations, has tasked it with the mediation role. This move by Ethiopia is seen as a significant step in international attempts to bring about resolution and peace in Sudan.
The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Meles Alem, confirmed that Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, is set to be the venue for these pivotal discussions. He stated, “In order to bring the Sudanese factions closer together, it has been agreed that Addis Ababa will host the dialogue between the Sudanese forces.”
However, amid these promising developments, an unnamed source in the Sudanese Foreign Ministry revealed that Sudan has expressed reservations about Kenya’s leadership of the Sudan Crisis Committee within IGAD, voicing concerns over impartiality.
In a related development, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees expressed a stark warning that unless the conflicting parties agree to cease their hostilities, violence in North Darfur is likely to worsen. According to the commissioner, the ongoing clashes in the region have already resulted in over 100 casualties.
As Ethiopia embarks on this crucial diplomatic role, the world anticipates potential progress in these critical peace talks. The situation remains tense, and the need for a peaceful resolution in Sudan is urgent and paramount.
