The Chairman of the Sovereignty Council and Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, confirmed on Tuesday that any external solution to the ongoing conflict in the country "will not endure," adding that no entity can impose any measures on Sudan. Al-Burhan stated in a video address to officers and non-commissioned officers published by the council on its Facebook page, "Any solution from outside Sudan will not last and will not endure. No one can impose anything on us."
He further noted that the council does not engage with any mediators, whether in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, or in Cairo, Egypt. He remarked, "From our perspective, the IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) does not concern us and is not relevant to Sudanese affairs."
In reference to a coordination initiative by the Civil Democratic Forces (TAGADDUM) led by former Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok to resolve the crisis, Al-Burhan stated that Hamdok should come to Sudan and engage with political forces instead of communicating with external parties.
Earlier on Tuesday, TAGADDUM announced that a delegation led by Hamdok would travel to Juba on Wednesday in response to an invitation from South Sudan "as part of the coordination's external tours to rally and integrate international and regional efforts to promote a peaceful solution to end the war in Sudan and address the catastrophic humanitarian situation."
The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs had announced earlier this month the suspension of the country's membership in IGAD, attributing this decision to what it perceived as the organization's disregard for a decision formally conveyed to them regarding Sudan's cessation of involvement and suspension of dealings with them on any issues concerning the current situation in the country.
