Remarks · 10 July 2023
• Your Excellency, Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, • Your Excellency Musa Faki, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, • Representatives of President Ismael Guelleh, • Representative of President Salva Kiir, • Your Excellency, Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, Executive Secretary, IGAD, • Ms Molly Phee, Assistant Secretary of State of the USA, • Martin Griffith Under-Secretary General, UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, • Distinguished Representatives of all accredited Observers, • Distinguished Delegates, • Ladies and Gentlemen,
I take this opportunity first, to express my gratitude to my dear brother, His Excellency Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali, personally and on behalf of the government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia for the warm reception extended to me and my delegation upon our arrival at this beautiful city last evening, and for the hospitality that we have continued to enjoy.
On 12th of June, 2023, the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government, having considered the situation in Sudan, established a High Level IGAD mechanism of Four, the Quartet, to engage in an effort to resolve the situation in the Sudan. I am delighted to convene this first meeting of the Quartet today. In this regard, I welcome the members, as well as the representatives of the conflicting parties in the Sudan. I also take note and wish to thank all the partners that have joined us at this meeting.
Pursuant to our decision in Djibouti, our ministers of foreign affairs convened on the 19thJune 2023. There has also been a number of engagements aimed at securing a cessation of hostilities, and commencing dialogue at various levels. During this period, I have also undertaken consultations with a number of neighbouring countries including Egypt, Eritrea, Chad, and Central Africa Republic, as well as the Africa Union Chair, Comoros and many hours of planning with my brother Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. In addition, I have engaged with countries beyond our region. In all instances, there has been a strong emphasis in support of the IGAD effort to end the conflict, address the worsening humanitarian crisis, and facilitate engagement in an inclusive political process that restores civilian governance to Sudan. Excellencies,
The situation in Sudan is grave. As the conflict continues unabated, we are witness to its devastating impact on the people, country and region. To date, the number of displaced individuals has surpassed 2.9 million. More than 2.2 million people are internally displaced, while 641,445 have sought refuge in neighboring countries, with Chad hosting about
240,000, and counting. The estimated death toll now stands at more than 2,000.
I strongly condemn this senseless violence, the brutal attacks on civilians, including women and children, and extensive destruction of property, and infrastructure that is threatening the nationhood of Sudan, and spurring uncertainty across the entire neighbourhood.
The atrocities in Darfur are alarming. The targeted inter-racial attacks are particularly concerning, as they steadily spiral into a humanitarian catastrophe.
Our meeting must address this unfolding situation. Critical is the need for an immediate assessment of the security and humanitarian situation, with a view to ensuring action that protects the civilian population.
While the crisis in Sudan continues to escalate, the response remains awfully inadequate. In spite of the various challenges on the ground, it is incumbent upon the international community to scale up assistance to the affected populations. Given the negative effect of the crisis on neighbours throughout the Horn, the Red Sea and the Sahel regions, humanitarian assistance should also be extended to the neighboring nations, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable groups, including women, children, and persons living with disabilities (PWDs). I am pleased that Martin Griffiths is in our midst today, and hopefully he can work with the region to urgently scale humanitarian operations.
Despite several initiatives to silence the guns, including the Jeddah rounds for which we as a region thank the United
States of America and The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the conflict however continues unabated, threatening to fragment the Sudan. We must not allow such a tragedy. As we all know, violence begets violence. Our meeting today must call for the immediate cessation of hostilities. Failure to this, we must also consider the next steps, including measures to protect lives and guarantee humanitarian access.
Our mechanism also has a mandate to undertake concrete steps in support of an inclusive civilian Sudanese process towards sustainable peace. Excellencies,
The world awaits our resolve today. Our meeting needs to pave way for:- i.
An unconditional ceasefire that facilitates unhindered humanitarian access, ensures protection of civilians, stops loss of life, destruction of property and critical infrastructure, and enables the people of the Sudan to access public services. ii. The structured commencement of three pathways towards conflict resolution and the restoration of the voice and aspirations of the People of the Sudan for a democratic transition, as follows: - a. Track I: Establishment of safe humanitarian corridors. b. Track II: Mediation between the leadership of the SAF and RSF, to stop the war. c. Track II: Commencing all-inclusive dialogues aimed at restoring Sudan to democratic governance.
I believe this approach reinforces the search for peace and will allow progress that lays a firm foundation for a peaceful and stable Sudan.
I appreciate efforts made by the IGAD Heads of State and Governments, both collectively and individually, as well as our partners, notably the United States and The Kingdom of Saudia Arabia, for standing in solidarity with the people of Sudan during this crisis. We cannot fail in this endeavour. I therefore look forward to our engagement providing a roadmap towards a lasting and sustainable peace in the Sudan. I thank you.