Sudan's government on Tuesday suspended ties with the East African Regional Union, which is trying to mediate between the country's military and rival powerful militias, and threatened Sudan's sovereignty by inviting militia leaders to an upcoming summit. accused of infringing.
The army, led by General Abdel Fattah Burhan, and the Rapid Support Force, commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, have been fighting to take control of Sudan since April. Years of tensions have erupted into urban fighting not only in the capital but also in other regions, including the western region of Darfur.
Sudanese militia leader insists on commitment to ceasefire as peace talks remain stalled
Sudan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which works with the military, said in a statement that the move was in response to IGAD inviting Dagalo without prior consultation, calling it a “violation of Sudan's sovereignty.” The 42nd IGAD Summit is scheduled to be held in Kampala, Uganda on Thursday.
IGAD did not immediately react to the Foreign Ministry's announcement. Dagalo confirmed on social media last week that he had received an invitation from IGAD.
Sudanese military commander General Abdel Fattah Burhan speaks after the signing of an initial agreement aimed at ending the deep crisis caused by last year's military coup in Khartoum, Sudan, December 5, 2022. . (AP Photo/Marwan Ali)
The eight member states are part of a mediation effort to end the conflict, along with Saudi Arabia and the United States, which facilitated unsuccessful indirect negotiations between the conflicting parties in early November. Leaders from both sides have yet to meet directly since the outbreak of war.
Tuesday's announcement came a week after Dagalo completed a tour of Africa where he met with government officials from Uganda, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa and Rwanda.
Over the past two months, the RSF appears to have gained the upper hand in the fighting, with its fighters advancing east and north across Sudan's central belt.
The United Nations says at least 12,000 people have been killed in the conflict. Human rights groups have accused both sides of war crimes.
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The countries that make up IGAD include Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda.
