The African Union (AU), European Union (EU), and United States (US) have urgently called for an immediate ceasefire and constructive dialogue in Sudan.
This appeal follows months of conflict between Sudan's armed forces and the rival Rapid Support Forces, with tensions escalating since April and resulting in widespread displacement and disruption of education for millions of children, as per Associated Press.
The AU, EU, US, and United Nations (UN) representatives, who convened in Kampala, Uganda, emphasized the severe threat the Sudanese crisis poses to regional stability in the Horn of Africa.
The ongoing conflict has led to the displacement of 7 million people, with 19 million children kept out of school, according to the AU, EU, US, and UN The situation has prompted Michael Hammer, US special envoy for the Horn of Africa, to call on Sudanese factions to adhere to international humanitarian law and fulfill commitments to halt the fighting.
The plea for a ceasefire intensifies following an emergency meeting of the East African regional bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), held in Kampala. The meeting also addressed the rising tension between Somalia and Ethiopia over an agreement signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland, Somalia's breakaway region.
The IGAD summit, attended by Sudan's army leader Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan and the commander of the Rapid Support Forces Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, emphasized the necessity of an unconditional ceasefire. Failure to comply, warned Hammer, could lead to the break-up of Sudan, urging the leaders to take action consistent with their claims of wanting to end the conflict, according to ABC News.
UN Investigates Sudan Human Rights
At the same time, the UN has announced the launch of the Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan, which seeks to investigate human rights violations that have occurred since April. An international mission, set up by the UN Human Rights Council in October 2023, has the objective of holding accountable those who are responsible for committing violations.
In a related matter, the AU, EU, and US have expressed concern over escalating tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia. The friction arises from Ethiopia's agreement with Somaliland on January 1, granting Ethiopia access to the sea in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland's independence. This development has angered Somalia, and the US particularly fears that these tensions may undermine efforts to combat al-Qaida-linked militants in Somalia.
EU special envoy for the Horn of Africa, Annette Weber, highlighted the common link between the two crises and stressed the need for a collective response from Horn of Africa countries to address attacks on ships by Yemen-based Houthi rebels. The situation is further complicated by Somalia's threat of war to prevent the port lease deal, causing the AU to call for restraint and "meaningful dialogue."
As the international community intensifies its efforts to address these crises, the world awaits the response of the involved parties and hopes for a swift and peaceful resolution to bring stability to the Horn of Africa, Reuters reported.
