KHARTOUM, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Sudan announced Monday that it will fully resume its activities within the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), ending a diplomatic freeze that began more than two years ago.
The Sudanese Foreign Ministry stated in a press release that the decision to rejoin the East African bloc followed a "positive" overture from the IGAD Secretariat. The ministry noted that the organization had reaffirmed its commitment to regional cooperation, non-interference, and the recognition of Sudan's sovereignty.
The move marks a major shift for Sudan. On Jan. 20, 2024, the country suspended its IGAD membership, accusing the bloc of overstepping by placing the Sudanese crisis on a summit agenda without prior consultation. The day before, IGAD had invited Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), to a high-level meeting in Uganda.
At the end of this January, IGAD issued a communique condemning violations committed by the RSF and reaffirming its support for Sudan's state institutions and territorial integrity.
Sudanese officials praised the mediation efforts of Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh, who currently chairs the bloc. Djibouti's Foreign Ministry characterized Sudan's return as "an important step that will enhance regional cohesion" and bolster collective action among member states.
Since April 2023, the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF has been a defining challenge for IGAD. While the bloc established a four-nation monitoring mechanism led by Kenyan President William Ruto, its efforts were frequently stymied by Sudanese military leaders who argued the bloc was biased or ignoring their sovereign concerns. ■
