IGAD Members convene in Uganda to address Sudan crisis

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | As tensions escalate in the Sudanese conflict, key members of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) are gathered in Uganda to deliberate on the ongoing crisis.

The meeting, taking place at State House Entebbe and hosted by President Yoweri Museveni, also aims to address the discord between Ethiopia and Somalia while grappling with the protracted fighting in Sudan.

Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh and South Sudan President Salva Kiir arrived in Uganda on Wednesday, setting the stage for high-level discussions. Kenyan President William Ruto is expected to join the deliberations today, adding to the array of leaders seeking a resolution.

However, the attendance of Eritrea President Isaias Afwerki remains uncertain, adding an element of intrigue to the diplomatic gathering. The eight-member organisation comprises Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda.

IGAD had previously initiated negotiations between the warring Sudanese factions – one led by the Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of Sudan, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the other commanded by the Rapid Support Forces’ Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The conflict over power control has raged for nearly a year.