“IGAD” Explores Opportunities to Revive Sudanese Negotiations

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is seeking to resume its mediating role in the Sudanese crisis and bring conflicting parties back to the negotiation table. This effort comes amidst ongoing skirmishes and a military stalemate, despite the army‘s failed attempts to secure a decisive victory.

• Sudan’s Failing Healthcare System on the Brink of Collapse

• UN Urges Immediate Deployment of Peacekeeping Force in Sudan

IGAD’s envoy, Lawrence Korbandi, plans to visit Sudan in January, a year after the Sudanese government suspended its membership in the organization. This visit may signal Sudan’s return to IGAD.

On Monday, Korbandi announced his intention to visit Port Sudan early next year to discuss peace-related issues in the country, although he declined to disclose the individuals he plans to meet.

Despite repeated mediation attempts, including joint efforts with the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, IGAD’s initiatives have been thwarted by the army‘s rigid preconditions, which have blocked meetings with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

• Hemetti Threatens the Army and the Muslim Brotherhood

• Al-Burhan Sends ‘Rescue’ Delegation to Egypt in New Political Maneuver

In January, IGAD invited the RSF leader to a summit in Uganda, sparking outrage from the pro-army government, which accused the organization of violating Sudan’s sovereignty. This led to the suspension of Sudan’s IGAD membership.

Diplomatic sources have indicated that Sudan is expected to rejoin IGAD after an 11-month suspension. Korbandi confirmed that a visit initially planned for December has been postponed to January, describing it as a positive step towards peace talks.

• “New Iranian Support”: Plane Loaded with Weapons Arrives for Sudanese Army

• Political and Humanitarian Mobilization: UAE Intensifies Efforts to End Crisis in Sudan

“My mandate is to bring peace to the Sudanese people, and there is no other way but to engage all sides of the conflict,” Korbandi stated.

Meanwhile, sources within the African Union revealed that several African nations have drafted a resolution on Sudan to present to the UN Security Council.

As efforts for a solution continue, violent clashes persist with conflicting claims from both sides. The RSF claimed to have killed 270 army soldiers in battles in Blue Nile and 300 allied forces in Darfur.

• “Rapid Support Forces” Welcome Washington’s Call for Sudanese Talks in Switzerland and Confirm Their Participation

• Sudan: Al-Burhan Rejects Dialogue Initiatives

Conversely, forces allied with the Sudanese army reported inflicting heavy losses on the RSF, destroying 60 military vehicles and capturing 39 others.

Since April 2023, the conflict between the army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, headed by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo “Hemetti,” has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced over 12 million people.

• UAE Commits to Humanitarian Aid to Address the Crisis in Sudan

• The Muslim Brotherhood and Al-Burhan lose the battle… The Army is in Turmoil

• Sudanese Army Commits Massacre by Bombing Popular Market, Killing Dozens of Civilians