Concerned about the escalating violence in Sudan, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has appointed Somalia to mediate with Sudan. As part of its mission, the country is expected to bring Sudan back into IGAD after Khartoum suspended its membership in January 2024. During a recent high-level IGAD visit to Mogadishu on 17 September, officials discussed working for the common good of the eight IGAD member states by promoting the collective good and advancing regional stability.
Somalia should strive to bring Sudan back into IGAD after Khartoum suspended its membership in January 2024. This is one of the resolutions of the official visit by the Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Workneh Gebeyehu, to Mogadishu, Somalia. The aim of the inter-regional organisation is to find a way out of the conflict, which has been going on since 15 April 2023 and has claimed the lives of more than 13,000 people, according to estimates by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
I am very happy that IGAD gave the responsibility to the Federal republic of Somalia to help us to bring our Sudanese brothers and sisters together. As you well know, Sudan is one of the biggest countries in the continent, not only to the continent but the world. You know, how generous the people of Sudan are.His Excellency the minister was telling me he himself was educated there. Today in our region, thousands of Somalis, Sudanese, Ethiopians, maybe millions were killed in conflicts. Now that really, you know, big challenge. So I asked His Excellency to assist us to solve the conflict, to ceasefire in Sudan. So this is a big responsibility. We are very confident that the Federal Republic of Somalia will be up to the task.
Workneh Gebeyehu, Executive Secretary of IGAD
Workneh Gebeyehu’s visit comes at a critical time as Somalia seeks to strengthen its position in the region in the face of persistent security challenges posed by militant groups such as Al-Shabaab. But it also comes in the wake of a new agreement signed between Ethiopia, South Sudan and Djibouti to restructure IGAD. The Horn of Africa, where Somalia is located, is one of the most unstable and conflict-prone areas in Africa.
We discussed how to bring back our brothers in Sudan that have been in turmoil for the last two years after they suspended their membership. The situation really is hurting us and we are looking to see the role we can play as a country in restoring the relations with the regional body by addressing their concerns. We believe that both Sudan and IGAD need each other.
Ahmed Moallin Fiqi, Minister of Foreign Affairs –Somalia
This visit marks a new stage in IGAD’s partnership with Somalia and reaffirms the regional bloc’s commitment to promoting peace, security and prosperity for all its member states. IGAD, a regional bloc made up of eight East African countries, has played a central role in establishing diplomatic relations and promoting cooperation in the Horn of Africa. Founded in 1986 to combat drought and desertification, IGAD has since become a platform for regional economic development, conflict resolution and the fight against terrorism.