The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) yesterday convened its 42nd Extraordinary Assembly of Heads of State and Government, hosted by Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni at State House, Entebbe.
The meeting was chaired by Djibouti president Ismail Omar Guelleh, who is also IGAD Head of State and Government chairperson.
Other heads of state in attendance were William Ruto of Kenya, Hassan Mohamud of Somalia, and Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan.
In a joint communique issued, the leaders decried the Sudan war as unjust and underscored that the Republic of Sudan belongs to its people, urging an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to end the war.
The members also reiterated their call for dialogue and negotiation, extending IGAD’s readiness to facilitate an inclusive peace process, and collaborating closely with all Sudanese stakeholders, the African Union (AU), and international actors.
The heads of state proposed a face-to-face meeting within 14 days between Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, the head of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
On the other hand, the leaders issued a resounding call for peace and dialogue, urging Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia to de-escalate tensions and embrace constructive dialogue.
Furthermore, the Heads of State reaffirmed their commitment to the cardinal principles of respecting the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
