The 42nd Extraordinary Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) convened at State House, Entebbe, hosted by President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda. Chaired by Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh, also the IGAD Head of State and Government Chairperson, the assembly included the presence of other heads of state, namely William Ruto of Kenya, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, and Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan.
In a joint communique issued on January 18, 2024, the leaders expressed their deep concern over the Sudan war, describing it as unjust. Emphasizing that the Republic of Sudan belongs to its people, they urged an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to bring an end to the conflict. The leaders reiterated their call for dialogue and negotiation, expressing IGAD’s readiness to facilitate an inclusive peace process and collaborate with Sudanese stakeholders, the African Union (AU), and international actors.
Proposing a face-to-face meeting within 14 days between Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces, and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), the head of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, the leaders aimed to initiate reconciliation. In a proactive move, they directed the IGAD Secretariat, in coordination with the AU, to revise the roadmap for resolving the conflict in Sudan, ensuring a clear timeline.
Addressing the media, President Museveni emphasized the need for an end to what he referred to as the “unprincipled war” in Sudan. He underscored the historical context of peaceful methods in the struggle for justice, citing the example of the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa, which initially pursued peaceful means for 50 years before adopting armed struggle when peaceful options were exhausted.
Additionally, the leaders called for the de-escalation of tensions and the promotion of constructive dialogue between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia. They reaffirmed their commitment to respecting the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
The leaders concluded by urging the African Union and the international community to mobilize support for the peace process in the Republic of Sudan. IGAD, headquartered in Djibouti, is a regional trade bloc comprising eight countries in Africa, representing governments from the Horn of Africa, the Nile Valley, and the African Great Lakes.
