09 Aug 2023, Juba, SOUTH SUDAN – Foreign Affairs Ministers from countries bordering the Sudan held a one-day meeting in the Chadian capital N’Djamena on Monday during which they agreed on a three-pronged plan to end the conflict that has gripped the country for nearly four months.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, they decided to forward the plan, which includes a call for a cessation of hostilities and political negotiations, to their leaders for action.
“The Committee of Ministers of Foreign Affairs has drawn up a plan of action … to be forwarded to the Heads of State and Government, to complement the existing mechanism of the African Union and IGAD, which is in three (3) parts, namely the achievement of a definitive ceasefire, the organization of an inclusive inter-Sudanese dialogue and the management of humanitarian issues,” the communique stated.
“They stressed the importance of direct and continuous contacts with the belligerents in order to identify the determinants for a lasting ceasefire, to end the destruction of innocent lives and infrastructures and to allow the functioning of health establishments and other basic services (water, food, electricity, banks, etc.)”
The Ministers expressed grave concern about the ongoing violence in the Sudan, which according to has left thousands dead and, according to the UN migration agency, IOM, forced some four million people to flee their homes.
“They stressed the importance of direct and continuous contacts with the belligerents in order to identify the determinants for a lasting ceasefire, to end the destruction of innocent lives and infrastructures and to allow the functioning of health establishments and other basic services (water, food, electricity, banks, etc.),” the communique added.
While hailing the humanitarian response plan prepared by the United Nations, the Foreign Affairs Ministers appealed to donor countries and organizations to speed up support for the plan and called on the warring parties to allow unimpeded access of humanitarian aid to the needy.
Fighting erupted in mid April between Sudanese government forces under Gen. Abdel Fatah Al Burhan, chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council and commander in chief of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), and Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
