Sudan leaders meet in Juba to seek path out of crisis

By Sr. Titilayo Aduloju, SSMA

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that after the conflict that broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in mid-April 2023, many people have fled their homes.

About 5.7 million people, which means one in every nine of Sudan’s population, have fled their homes and have sought safety either within Sudan or in its neighbouring countries.

According to OCHA, “Six months after, Sudan is facing one of the fastest unfolding crises globally, with unprecedented needs in such a short period.”

A two-day consultative meeting of the Juba Peace Agreement signatories was held between Tuesday and Wednesday in Juba, the South Sudanese capital.

Aim of the meeting

The meeting was a result of the invitation by the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, to the Sudanese peace signatories.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and explore avenues to bring an end to the conflict in Sudan.

Under President Kiir's direction, on 3 October 2020, the Juba Peace Agreement was signed in Juba between the Sudanese government and 14 signatories.

Chad, the United Arab Emirates, and IGAD acted as guarantors of the agreement, while Egypt and Qatar witnessed.

Calling on the parties for a solution

In an opening speech, Tut Gatluak Manime, the Head of the Mediation Committee and South Sudan's presidential advisor on national security affairs said “The consultative meeting aims to seek a way to resolve the ongoing war,” noting that his government supports peace and stability in Sudan.

Lamenting the current situation in Sudan, Malik Agar, the deputy chairperson of Sudan's Sovereign Council and leader of the SPLM-A faction, said “The ongoing war affects the region, calling on the parties to find a solution through the negotiation table.”

According to Mr. Agar, “The war in Sudan is affecting the region and the Horn of Africa”.

“Ending this war depends on how we can address our internal issues by turning to the table to discuss ways to resolve them,” he concluded.

In the same vein, Ramadan Abdallah Goc, South Sudan's deputy minister of foreign affairs, urged the Sudanese parties to find a peaceful solution and pay attention to the voice of reason.

"We call on our brothers in Sudan to open their hearts to one another, accept one another, and negotiate in good faith to end the war so that the people of Sudan can have peace," he said.

Support from Egypt

For his part, Moataz Abdel-Qader, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to South Sudan, emphasized that Sudan's government and people would be supported by his country.

He added that “Egypt opened its doors to the Sudanese following the outbreak of the war in mid-April 2023.”

Mr. Abdel-Qader also admitted the fact the Sudanese refugees in Egypt are facing some challenges, but noted that work is ongoing to solve those challenges, he said.