
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan would like to report that the Sudanese delegation participating in the IGAD summit, which was held on June 12, 2023 in Djibouti, has expressed its disagreement and objection to a number of paragraphs that were mentioned in the draft final statement of the summit due to the fact that they were not discussed and agreed upon, and the delegation called on the IGAD Secretariat to delete them” (Sudan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 13.06.2023)
Workneh Gebeyehu, the Executive Secretary of Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) could clearly have read the room. Certainly the leader of IGAD could have known this could burn him. A conflict can cause more hysteria and also more touchy feelings. In this regard, the leadership of Khartoum and the ones in-charge there wants things their way now. They are not negotiating or considering other people.
That’s why I will now let you read a few of the paragraphs from the Executive Secretary and what he wrote about Sudan. Because this stuff is compelling and most likely the reason for the aftermath after the 12th June IGAD Summit and this release of Official Statement.
“Let there be no room for doubt, IGAD is extremely concerned by the violence in Sudan and wishes to stress that in war, there are no real winners. For a credible cessation of hostilities, the violence and bloodshed must first stop. The ramifications for our region and the world at large of a protracted conflict in the Republic of Sudan are unthinkable. Allow me to highlight just how serious this situation is; before this conflict broke out, the Republic of Sudan was already one of the biggest refugee hosting countries in Africa and the World. As a result of the ongoing conflict, we are now facing twin prospects of “double-displacement” of refugees and asylum seekers as well as the increased challenge of food insecurity in Sudan and our region which has barely recovered from the devastating drought. With this clear picture of what the future will look like if we do not act boldly and swiftly, I reiterate that we must act above all, to save the lives of our brothers and sisters who caught up in this conflict, save the hopes and dreams they share with us for peace and prosperity. I therefore emphasise that as IGAD, good friends and neighbours of Sudan, we have a moral and historical obligation to halt and reverse the course of this conflict; for war is simply an escape from the challenges of peace” (IGAD, 13.06.2023).
This here is words that is striking at the heart of Khartoum. It is telling a story the leaders and the ones in combat don’t want to hear. While IGAD can try to act “independent” and as an “outsider”. Well, they are not and that’s why Al-Burhan himself has been the leader of IGAD for a while now. That role now goes to Djibouti President Ismael Omar Guelleh. Which means Sudan loses a little influence over IGAD.
However, Khartoum has enough with the war between the SAF and RSF. The battle of supremacy between Al-Burhan and Hemeti. These two are the ones that getting the republic destroyed and looted. They are the ones in-charge of the armed forces and militias who are tarnishing the republic. That’s exactly who they are and they cannot run away from that responsibility. The insecurity and dangerous paths they are partaking in is costing lives on the daily. Hospitals are lacking and infrastructure is collapsing. In addition, logistics are failing and borders are closed shut. Therefore, Sudan is bleeding and that’s all for the battle of the throne.
IGAD can mean well when they describe the situation and what is needed. What IGAD forgot is that these statements are going towards Warlords and they not taking these sorts of things kindly. They are getting bruised and their egos have been put in check. You should never do that to trigger-happy people. Never ever test the ones that shoot-and-kill. However, that is what IGAD did and now they getting the backlash and an unwanted response. Peace.











