Sudan’s army has rejected a proposal from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a group of East African countries, to deploy peacekeepers in Sudan and help mediate peace talks.
The nation’s army has been battling the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since mid-April. Several rounds of Saudi and US-led peace talks have since fallen through due to ceasefire violations on both sides.
So IGAD, currently chaired by Kenya, thought a more local response might help. But Sudan’s army accused Kenya of harbouring members of the RSF, and warned that IGAD peacekeepers would be viewed as “enemy forces.”
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Intrigue’s take: Meanwhile, Sudan’s army has welcomed a peace summit hosted today (Thursday) by Egypt, with whom it enjoys close ties.
And there’s the rub: it’s up to the warring parties to first accept that peace requires compromise. Until then, no mediator will ever be good enough.
Also worth noting:
- U.N. chief Antonio Guterres has warned that Sudan is “on the brink of full-scale war” without successful mediation.
- At least 2.9 million civilians have been displaced since fighting started, and at least 24.7 million Sudanese are in need of humanitarian aid.
