South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has been appointed to lead mediation efforts on Sudan’s current crisis. This happened during the Intergovernmental Authority on Development’s (IGAD) emergency meeting on the situation in Sudan. President Kiir has been instructed to bring the two frontiers Generals to the table, but reports suggest that the two generals who had dominated the sense of conflict may not agree on the team despite Juba’s efforts to put an end to such a situation and restore peace back to the Sudanese community.
Earlier this month, the chairman of Sudan’s transitional sovereign council, General Burhan, pledged to establish civilian rule and complete the political process in the country. However, stakeholders deserted talks, and the signatories failed to reach an agreement regarding security and military reform and the integration of armed groups into the Sudanese army forces.
The war has sent thousands of Sudanese out of the country and forced foreign countries to evacuate their citizens. Negotiations could be held in the South Sudanese capital city of Juba. Juba is backing a political solution, which will help the world give a seat to people with a direct stake in the Republic of Sudan to put an end to this perennial war in the country.
IGAD publicly endorsed South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir last week, and Kenyan President William Ruto spoke about Sudan’s stability and social and economic stability in the region. Sudan, who is the chair of IGAD, has a similar culture and background with its youngest neighbour, South Sudan.
President Kiir’s call to General Burhan in Khartoum to accept peace and agree to talks with his Sudanese counterpart is a significant move. However, there has been no response yet from the side of Rapid Support Force leader, General Hemedit. The mediation efforts led by President Kiir are critical in bringing an end to the crisis in Sudan and restoring peace to the country.
The IGAD has a responsibility to work towards ensuring peace and stability in the region. The appointment of President Kiir is a step in the right direction towards achieving this goal. The crisis in Sudan has had a significant impact on the lives of the Sudanese people, and it is time for the international community to come together and work towards finding a lasting solution to the conflict. The mediation efforts led by President Kiir should be supported, and all parties involved should work towards finding a lasting solution to the crisis in Sudan.
