As Sudan grapples with escalating conflict, various international bodies have initiated efforts to bring about peace. The African Union (AU), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Jeddah's Declaration of Commitment, and Egypt's Neighboring Countries Initiative are all striving to address the crisis. While these initiatives offer hope, their simultaneous emergence raises concerns about potential contradictions and the challenges of effective collaboration.
African Union's High-Level Ad hoc Panel: In response to the deteriorating situation, the AU has set up a High-Level Ad hoc Panel on Sudan, signaling a renewed commitment to finding a solution. This panel, if promptly constituted with credible members, holds the potential to facilitate an inclusive civilian-led political transition. The success of this mechanism will be pivotal in reinstating the AU's effectiveness in resolving the ongoing conflict.
IGAD's Rapid Response Plan: Navigating Challenges IGAD swiftly responded to the crisis with a two-stage rapid response plan, emphasizing an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian efforts. However, despite multiple summits and roadmaps, the situation remains dire. The recent meeting of IGAD Quartet's Foreign Ministers in June underscores the challenges and the necessity for a recalibrated strategy to achieve meaningful progress.
The 41st Extraordinary Assembly of the IGAD Heads of State and Government, held in Djibouti, addressed the Sudanese crisis under the chairmanship of H.E. Ismail Omar Guelleh. The communique condemned external interventions, urged humanitarian support pledges, and emphasized the impossibility of a military solution. It called for coordinated international efforts, emphasizing a unified Africa-anchored mediation process, and committed to supporting a civilian-led inclusive political transition in Sudan. The IGAD assembly resolved to fast-track an all-inclusive dialogue and establish a mediation framework, seeking endorsement from the AU and UNSC while remaining actively involved in the peace process.