The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is working to restore its role as a mediator in Sudan’s ongoing crisis, aiming to revive negotiations and find a peaceful resolution. This comes as General al-Burhan’s military (SAF) continues to pursue a military solution without success, despite the ongoing back-and-forth battles.
Lawrence Korbandi, the IGAD envoy to Sudan, is set to visit the country in January 2024 as part of efforts to resume mediation after Sudan suspended its membership in the organization last year. Talks are underway regarding Sudan’s potential return to IGAD.
Korbandi confirmed on Monday that he plans to visit Port Sudan in the coming months to discuss peace-related matters. However, he declined to disclose which figures he would meet during the visit. Speaking from Nairobi, he emphasized that IGAD remains committed to dialogue and peace for Sudan.
IGAD, alongside US and Saudi-led mediation efforts, has attempted several times to mediate between Sudan’s warring generals. However, these efforts have been thwarted by Al-Burhan’s insistence on demanding unrealistic conditions, which prevented direct negotiations with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
In January 2023, IGAD invited RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) to attend a summit in Uganda. This invitation sparked outrage from the SAF-controlled government, which accused IGAD of violating Sudan’s sovereignty and setting a dangerous precedent. As a result, Sudan officially suspended its membership in IGAD.
In a formal letter, Sudan’s military chief, al-Burhan, informed the President of Djibouti and current IGAD chairperson, Ismail Omar Guelleh, of the suspension. However, diplomatic sources have revealed that Sudan is expected to rejoin IGAD following an 11-month suspension.
Korbandi reportedly made an unannounced visit to Port Sudan in August, leading to a tentative agreement from the Sovereign Council to rejoin IGAD, although the formal announcement has been delayed. He underscored that the upcoming visit represents a positive step towards peace and Sudan’s reintegration into the regional bloc.
“My mandate is to bring peace to the Sudanese people, and this can only be achieved through dialogue with all parties involved,” Korbandi stated. He dismissed the suspension of membership as a secondary issue, emphasizing Sudan’s founding role in IGAD.
Additionally, African Union sources revealed that a number of African nations have drafted a resolution on Sudan, which will be presented to the UN Security Council.
Despite regional and international efforts to halt the fighting, intense clashes continue across Sudan. The RSF has claimed significant victories in Blue Nile and North Darfur, stating that they killed 270 SAF soldiers during violent clashes near the town of Bout in Blue Nile, and another 300 from joint forces in the desert near Malha, North Darfur. The RSF also reported seizing several military vehicles.
In another development, the SAF reported progress in the Shambat area of Khartoum Bahri, where they gained control of part of Block 15 as part of their ongoing offensive since September 2023. However, the RSF still controls most of the city.
Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a brutal conflict between the SAF, led by al-Burhan, and the RSF, led by Dagalo. The war has led to tens of thousands of deaths and displaced more than 12 million people, making it one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history.
