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Djibouti urges Sudan's reinstatement to IGAD

Chairman of the Sudan Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan with Djibouti President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh during a past meeting. (Photo: Sudan Tribune)

By Foreign Reporter | Monday, February 12, 2024

Djibouti's Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf revealed that the letter urged Sudanese leadership to reconsider their IGAD membership suspension.

Djibouti's President and Chair of IGAD Ismaïl Omar Guelleh sent a special envoy to Port Sudan as part of ongoing efforts to convince Sudanese leadership to reconsider their decision to suspend IGAD membership.

On February 1, the Chairman of the Sudan Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, received a written message from Djibouti President Ismail, delivered by a special envoy.

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The Sudanese government confirmed the letter focused on bilateral relations.

In an interview with Chinese CGTN Africa TV, Djibouti's Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf revealed that the letter urged Sudanese leadership to reconsider their IGAD membership suspension.

Mahmoud reiterated Djibouti's commitment to regional stability and emphasized IGAD's neutral role in Sudan's peace efforts.

"We are actively engaging on this matter," stated the Djibouti foreign minister.

"Sudan is crucial to IGAD and the region, and we urge Sudan to remain in IGAD. Djibouti is dedicated to dialogue with Sudan."

Mahmoud highlighted the authority's impartial role, affirming, "IGAD seeks to bring peace to Sudan and has no hidden agenda."

On January 20, Sudan suspended its IGAD membership in protest of the bloc's failure to respect its decision to withdraw from internal Sudanese affairs.

Despite Sudanese government boycotts, IGAD leaders convened on January 18 to address the Sudanese crisis.

They met with Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo and former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok.

IGAD leaders reaffirmed their commitment to uphold the will of the Sudanese people and ensure peace in Sudan.

The Sudanese warring generals haven't met face-to-face since the crisis started.