The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected a regional summit proposal on Tuesday to consider deploying peacekeeping forces to protect civilians, thereby shattering initial hopes that the regional bloc could assist in ending the nearly three-month-long war. The summit, held by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and attended by heads of state and representatives from several other countries and organizations, discussed the deployment of regional peacekeeping forces and enhancing civilian participation in negotiations.
This meeting is the first of its kind in weeks, following the suspension of separate talks in Jeddah by the United States and Saudi Arabia after repeated violations of ceasefire agreements. The army has boycotted IGAD's mediation efforts, accusing Kenya, which leads the initiative, of providing refuge to the Rapid Support Forces.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "The Government of Sudan informs IGAD that disrespecting the views of member states will make the Government of Sudan reconsider the feasibility of its membership in the organization." The statement also confirmed, "The Government of Sudan rejects the deployment of any foreign forces in Sudan and will consider them as occupying forces."
The statement welcomed a summit later this week in Egypt, which is considered widely closer to the army than to the Rapid Support Forces. The IGAD summit held in Addis Ababa included American representatives who seemingly reject the notion of continuing military rule in Sudan in the future. U.S. Ambassador John Godfrey stated, "Reaching a negotiated settlement does not mean, nor can it mean, a return to the situation that existed before April 15."
