On Wednesday, 6th September 2023, the Heads of State and Government of the IGAD Quartet Group of Countries met in Nairobi, Republic of Kenya on the margins of the 2023 Africa Climate Summit to take stock of the implementation of the IGAD Roadmap for peace in the Republic of Sudan that was adopted by the 14th Ordinary Assembly of the IGAD Heads of State and Government on the 12th of June 2023 in Djibouti and in follow up to the 1st meeting of the IGAD Quartet group of countries that was held in Addis Abba on the 10th of July 2023.
The meeting was chaired by H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Chair of the IGAD Quartet. In attendance at this Summit representing the IGAD Quartet group of countries were, H.E. Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti and Chairperson of IGAD; H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan and Deputy Chairperson of IGAD and Hon. Dr. Abreham Belay, Minister of Defence of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia representing H.E. Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
Also, in attendance at this the meeting was the IGAD Executive Secretary, H.E. Workneh Gebeyehu and H.E. Moussa Faki, chairperson of the African Union Commission who also participated at this meeting.
Following welcome remarks and the opening statement by the host of the meeting and the Chair of the IGAD Quartet, H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, a summary briefing and a situational update by the IGAD Executive Secretary as well as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the Heads of State and Government of the IGAD Quartet group of countries deliberated on the current situation and developments in the Republic of Sudan.
Consequent to these constructive deliberations, the members of the IGAD Quartet group of countries;
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Thanks H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, the people and Government of Republic of Kenya for convening and hosting the 2nd Meeting of the Heads of State and Government of the IGAD Quartet group of countries and the warm welcome extended to delegates from Member States and other participants on the margins of the 2023 Africa Climate Summit;
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Recalls the resolutions of the 1st IGAD Quartet meeting of the Heads of State and Government on 10th July 2023 in Addis Ababa, and notes with concern that in the interim period, the situation in Sudan has not improved with the fighting escalating, expanding and extending to outlying regions;
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Strongly condemns the ongoing warand calls upon the warring parties to immediately halt all hostilities and reiterates that there is no military solution to the conflict in the Republic of Sudan and in this regard, re-commits the Quartet Heads of State and Government to delivering a face-to-face meeting between the warring parties;
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Noted the consultations with various stakeholders and the invitation for IGAD to participate in the Jeddah process on a Short-Term Ceasefire and Humanitarian Arrangements, nevertheless suggests the consolidation of all peace initiatives for the Republic of Sudan under a framework that comprehensively addresses the conflict, humanitarian access and long-term political dialogue to deliver comprehensive and lasting peace;
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Reiterates the call for a structured approach towards peace talks between the warring parties and all-inclusive consultations with civilian actors and in this regard, recommends that in the spirit of “African Solutions to African Problems” IGAD and the AU combine their efforts with the countries neighbouring the Sudan and further calls upon the international actors to support a single, all-inclusive IGAD-AU led platform;
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Mandates IGAD and the African Union to accelerate the consultations to map the agenda, venue and identify participants and other relevant matters in support of a political dialogue that clearly defines a Sudanese-owned and Sudanese-led political process;
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Cautions that the conflict in the Republic of Sudan is becoming increasingly complex and risks taking on a regional dimension with the entry and participation of other armed movements, in addition to the rapid proliferation of small arms and light weapons posing severe security, humanitarian, and political risks for Sudan and the broader region;
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Decries the further deterioration of the humanitarian situation and increasing population displacement coupled with severe food scarcity and in this regard, commits to mobilise USD 1 million from each IGAD member state for humanitarian assistance and to support the peace process in solidarity with the people of the Republic of Sudan;
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Thanks the international community for the humanitarian action and efforts to mitigate the effects of the ongoing war and further calls upon the international community, neighbouring countries, and friends of the Republic of Sudan to scale-up and sustain support for humanitarian action for the people of Sudan and the peace process; and,
10.Decides to remain actively seized of these matters.
Done on Wednesday 6th September 2023.
