Arab countries welcome the final communique of Sudan’s Neighbouring States Summit in Egypt

Note, this report says "the acting government of Sudan, the Transitional Sovereignty Council (TSC), as well as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) welcomed the results of Sudan's Neighbouring Countries Summit".

Report from Ahram Online 
Published Saturday 15 July 2023 - here is a full copy:

Arab countries welcome communique of Sudan’s Neighbouring States Summit in Egypt

A number of Arab countries have welcomed the final communique of the Sudan’s Neighbouring States Summit held in Egypt on Thursday as a step towards reaching a peaceful solution to the Sudanese crisis.

This handout picture released by the Egyptian Presidency shows Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (C), accompanied by Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (C-L) and intelligence chief Abbas Kamel (C-R) attending a regional summit for neighbouring nations impacted by the three-month war between Sudan s rival generals in Cairo on July 13, 2023. AFP

The summit in Cairo brought together Egypt, Libya, Chad, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea, along with the secretary-general of the Arab League and the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson, about three months after the conflict erupted in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The summit has agreed on eight points mentioned in the communique, most notably the formation of a ministerial mechanism comprising the foreign ministers of Sudan’s neighbours to address the conflict, which has had severe impacts on regional countries.

Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, Oman, Tunisia, Yemen, Palestine and Sudan have welcomed the communique, hailing Egyptian efforts in hosting the summit.

In a statement on Friday, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised the communique as an “important step that is part of the regional and international endeavours aiming to stop the fighting in the sisterly Republic of the Sudan with dialogue and peaceful means.”

The Qatari state looks forward to seeing the outcomes of the summit and other endeavours pave the way for a permanent resolution to the armed conflict in Sudan, the ministry stressed.

Expanded negotiations including all political forces in Sudan should follow the ceasefire in order to reach a sustainable peace that fulfills the aspirations of the Sudanese people for stability, development and prosperity, the ministry added.

The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs hailed the communique, affirming the importance of reaching a ceasefire and resolving the conflict peacefully through dialogue.

President El-Sisi Participates in the Final Session of Sudan’s Neighboring Countries Summit

Jordan also voiced support for all efforts towards a solution to the Sudanese crisis, including the summit in Cairo, said the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said.

The Omani Foreign Ministry, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, and the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs all expressed appreciation for Egypt's efforts in hosting the summit, called for an immediate end to the fighting, and for security, peace and dialogue in Sudan.

In a statement from the Yemeni Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Yemen hailed the great and fruitful efforts led by Egypt's President El-Sisi at the summit as a means to ending the bloodshed and fulfilling the Sudanese people’s aspirations to achieve peace and prosperity.

Meanwhile, the acting government of Sudan, the Transitional Sovereignty Council (TSC), as well as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) welcomed the results of Sudan's Neighbouring Countries Summit.

The crisis in Sudan has significantly affected the country’s neighbours, which have received hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees over the past three months.

Thursday’s summit warned that prolonging the crisis will result in an increasing number of refugees, overwhelming the capabilities of neighbouring countries.

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View original: https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/504788.aspx

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Communiqué of the 1st Meeting of the IGAD Quartet Group for the Resolution of the Situation in Sudan

COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE 1^ST MEETING OF THE IGAD QUARTET GROUP OF COUNTRIES FOR THE RESOLUTION OF THE SITUATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF SUDAN

On Monday, 10^th July 2023, the Heads of State and Government of the IGAD Quartet Group of Countries met in Addis Ababa, Federal Democratic of Ethiopia to discuss in depth the implementation of the IGAD Roadmap for peace in the Republic of Sudan.

The meeting was chaired by H.E. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and in attendance at this Summit representing the IGAD Quartet group of countries were, H.E. Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Hon. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Djibouti representing H.E. the President of the Republic of Djibouti and Chairperson of IGAD; and Hon. Benjamin Bol Mel, Special Envoy of the Republic of South Sudan, representing H.E. the President of the Republic of South Sudan and Deputy Chairperson of IGAD.

Also, in attendance at this the meeting was the IGAD Executive Secretary, H.E. Workneh Gebeyehu and H.E. Amb. Bankole Adeoye, the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security as well as representatives of the UN-OCHA, European Union, the Republic of Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States of America and the United Kingdom. Also in attendance was Mr. Yousif Izzat representing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Following welcome remarks by the host of the meeting, H.E. Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the opening statement by the Chair of the IGAD Quartet, H.E. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and a detailed briefing by the IGAD Executive Secretary, the Heads of State and Government of the IGAD Quartet group of countries deliberated on the current situation and developments in the Republic of Sudan.

Following these constructive deliberations, the members of the IGAD Quartet group of countries;

Thanks H.E. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, the people and Government of the Federal democratic Republic of Ethiopia for hosting the 1^st Meeting of the Heads of State and Government of the IGAD Quartet and the warm welcome extended to delegates from Member States and other participants;

Commends the initiative of the Chair as well as Members of the IGAD Quartet for engaging neighbouring countries and all other stakeholders to support ongoing efforts towards the silencing the guns, resolution of the conflict in the Republic of Sudan and restoration of the civilian-led democratic transition;

Appreciates the African Union for closely working in coordination with the IGAD Quartet in harmonizing effort towards the implementation of a common roadmap for the peaceful resolution of the crisis in the Republic of Sudan;

Notes the regrettable absence of the delegation of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) in spite of the invitation and confirmation of attendance;

Acknowledges the continuing efforts of the United Nations and key regional and international partners including the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with whom the IGAD Quartet shares an equal commitment to the cause of peace in the Republic of Sudan;

Takes note of the planned meeting of states neighboring the Republic of Sudan scheduled to be held in the Republic of Egypt on Thursday, 13^th July 2023 and welcome the complementary role that this initiative will play in supporting the shared objectives of the IGAD Quartet for peace and stability in the Republic of Sudan;

Appreciates the efforts of the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia whose concern and commitment to peace in Sudan is very visible through the Jeddah talks;

Expresses deep concern regarding the impact of the ongoing war in the Republic of Sudan which has so far killed thousands of people, and displaced almost 3 million people including 2.2 million IDPs and nearly 615,000 refugees that have crossed the border into neighboring countries; and appreciates the neighbouring states of the Republic of Sudan that have opened their borders to provide protection to our Sudanese brothers and sisters;

Further concerned by the escalation of the conflict, repeated violations of the various ceasefire agreements and the spread of violence outside of Khartoum to the other parts of Sudan particularly in Darfur as well as Kordofan where it is assuming ethnic and religious dimensions thereby threatening to deepen the polarization in the country; and regrets that this escalation driven by external interference that is prolonging and exacerbating the conflict;

Underscores that there is no military solution to the conflict in the Republic of Sudan and in this regard, decides to mobilize and concentrate the efforts of all stakeholders towards delivering a face-to-face meeting between the leaders of the warring parties; strongly urges the parties to immediately stop the violence and sign an unconditional and indefinite ceasefire through a cessation of hostilities agreement that shall be supported by an effective enforcement and monitoring mechanism;

Concerned by the degenerating humanitarian situation in the Republic of Sudan, decides to take concrete steps to facilitate immediate humanitarian assistance to all Sudanese affected by the conflict with a focus on vulnerable population in particular, Women Children and Persons living with disability;

Further resolves to request the East Africa Standby Force (EASF) summit to convene in order to consider the possible deployment of the EASF for the protection of civilians and guarantee humanitarian access;

Calls upon states neighboring the Republic of Sudan to step up efforts for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and to take necessary measures to ease and lift any logistical barriers to the delivery of humanitarian aid including visa and customs requirements;

Appalled by the reports of widespread serious human rights abuses including sexual violence targeting girls and women, condemns the ongoing violations and in this regard, commits to work closely with the international community to put in place a robust monitoring and accountability mechanism that will be instrumental in bringing perpetrators to justice;

Mindful of the sovereignty of the Republic of Sudan, commits to undertake all measures to safeguard its territorial integrity;

Underlines the centrality of the Sudanese people and noting their aspiration for a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Sudan, commits to support measures that address the root causes of the crisis in the Republic of Sudan. In this regard, urges all Sudanese actors to engage in an all-inclusive Sudanese-owned and Sudanese-led dialogue towards a sustainable peace; in this regard, IGAD in coordination with the AU will immediately commence on a of civilian engagement process that will deliver on these objectives;

Notes the various diplomatic efforts to mediate the conflict in the Republic of Sudan, emphasizesthe centrality of IGAD in coordinating the different diplomatic tracks alongside the African Union to harmonize all efforts in a coordinated and collaborative framework that demonstrates unity of purpose to deliver a real and lasting peace deal for the people of the Republic of Sudan;

Finally, Strongly Condemns the repeated violations of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) as manifested in the attacks and looting of diplomatic missions and premises in Khartoum and demands the protection of these premises in areas under the control of the warring parties;

And,

Decides to remain actively seized of these matters.

Done on Monday 10^th July 2023.

Download attached Communique in PDF below.

Final Communique – IGAD Quartet Meeting on the Situation in the Republic of Sudan 10072023 1

View original: https://igad.int/communique-of-the-1st-meeting-of-the-igad-quartet-group-of-countries-for-the-resolution-of-the-situation-in-the-republic-of-sudan/

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NEW COLD WAR? Africa must not become ‘geostrategic battleground’ warns AU leaders

Report at TheAfricaReport.com

By AFP (Agence France-Presse)

Dated Friday 26 May 2023; 09:24 - full copy:

NEW COLD WAR?

Africa must not become ‘geostrategic battleground’ warns AU

Moussa Faki Mahamat (1st L), Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) looks at a photo exhibition during the 60th anniversary of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now African Union (AU), at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa on May 25, 2023. (Photo by Amanuel Sileshi / AFP)

Africa must not become a “geostrategic battleground” for global powers, as it grapples with several threats to its own peace and security, African Union leaders warn.

The continent of 1.3 billion people has found itself at the centre of a tussle for influence among the major powers, which has redoubled since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine 15 months ago.

And just as the AU marked the anniversary of the creation of its forerunner, the Organisation of African Unity, on this day in 1963, Ukraine itself announced it wanted to boost ties with Africa.

“In this international context of confrontation of divergent political interests, the will of each side threatens to transform Africa into a geostrategic battleground, thereby creating a new Cold War,” AU Commission chair Moussa Faki Mahamat said.

“In this zero-sum game, where the gains of others would translate into losses for Africa, we must resist all forms of instrumentalisation of our member states,” he added in an address at AU headquarters in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

Moscow is seeking deeper political, economic and military ties in Africa as well as Asia as Russia becomes increasingly isolated on the international stage over the conflict in Ukraine.

‘Capacity for resilience’

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who is currently on a tour of Africa, on Wednesday urged certain African nations to end their “neutrality” over the war.

In February, 22 AU member states abstained or did not vote on a UN General Assembly resolution that called for Russia withdraw from Ukraine.

Two of them – Eritrea and Mali – voted against the resolution.

And in a statement to mark the pan-African body’s anniversary, Kuleba also announced a Ukrainian diplomatic push on the continent.

“We want to develop a new quality of partnership based on three mutual principles: mutual respect, mutual interests, and mutual benefits,” he said, announcing plans to establish new embassies in Africa and hold a Ukraine-Africa summit.

In this zero-sum game, where the gains of others would translate into losses for Africa, we must resist all forms of instrumentalisation of our member states.

Moscow itself has scheduled a Russia-Africa summit in July, following a trip to several African countries at the start of the year by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

China and the US have also despatched their foreign ministers to the continent in rival diplomatic offensives this year.

Beijing has funded major infrastructure development in Africa but denies Western charges it is practising “debt-trap diplomacy”, while Russia is a key arms exporter and is making forays through mining projects, analysts say.

‘Conflicts and terrorism persist’

Faki meanwhile also hailed the successes of the 54-nation AU which succeeded the OAU in 2002: “Independence and victory against apartheid, that of significant economic and scientific progress, sports, arts, the growing international role of Africa and so on.”

However, he also acknowledged “negative factors such as democratic decline through unconstitutional changes of government, with their litany of oppression and gagging of freedoms, insecurity, the spread of terrorism, violent extremism, the uncontrolled circulation of arms, the harmful effects of climate change”.

Despite the difficulties, Faki said, Africa remains “characterised by its greater capacity for resilience”, pointing for example to its response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The current head of the African Union, Comoros President Azali Assoumani also denounced “the unconstitutional changes of power” which have multiplied in Africa in recent years.

“Inter and intra-African conflicts but also terrorism persists and consequently the peace, security, democracy and development of our continent are threatened in several of our countries,” he said.

Assoumani spoke of the conflict between rival generals in Sudan which erupted in mid-April and has persisted despite several truce agreements.

“We must convince our brothers in Sudan to favour dialogue so that the fratricidal war raging in this country ends,” he added.

View original: https://www.theafricareport.com/310874/africa-must-not-become-geostrategic-battleground-warns-au/

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UN chief Guterres: “With international cooperation and solidarity, this can be Africa’s century”

Stand with Africa: Guterres

Meanwhile, UN chief António Guterres noted that cooperation and solidarity to advance the continent’s future is more needed than ever.

“I look forward to African governments continuing to seize the opportunities presented by the continent’s natural, human, and entrepreneurial richness, by working to increase private investment and raise resources at home,” he said in his message for Africa Day.

The annual commemoration May celebrates the founding of the Organization of African Union, the African Union precursor, on 25 May 1963.

The Secretary-General urged the international community to stand with Africa as multiple rises – from COVID-19 to climate and conflict – continue to cause great suffering there.

He further stated that African countries are underrepresented in global governance institutions, such as the UN Security Council, and denied the debt relief and concessional funding they need.

“Africa deserves peace, justice and international solidarity,” he said.  “With international cooperation and solidarity, this can be Africa’s century.” 

Read full story at UN News report 25 May 2023:

Security Council urged to step up on financing for AU peace operations

https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/05/1137047

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