CAIRO: Egypt launched a mediation attempt between Sudan’s warring factions on Thursday at a regional summit, the latest in a series of global efforts to end a prolonged civil war and the intensifying of a humanitarian crisis.
Fighting between Sudan’s military and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) started in Khartoum in April, and has spread westward to the fragile regions of Darfur and Kordofan.
Over 1,000 civilians have been killed and three million people have been displaced, nearly 700,000 to neighboring states, according to the UN’s figures, which has warned of a growing hunger crisis.
Earlier this week, Ethiopia organized a regional East African summit, but Sudan’s army boycotted it, alleging lead sponsor Kenya was biased.
Cairo, which has historically close relations with the military in Khartoum, invited leaders of Sudan’s neighbouring countries to the gathering, which aims to prevent foreign interference in the war and offer a new drive for peace negotiations, Reuters reported.
Egyptian president stresses for upholding supreme interest
Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said that all of the stakeholders in Sudan must uphold the supreme interest and keep politics and unity away from foreign interference that tries to achieve self-interests.
He presented an initiative to the summit based on a cease-fire, opening of safe delivery for aid, comprehensive negotiations, and a mechanism to communicate with the rival parties.
The Egyptian plan aims to achieve a 3-month cease-fire and open aid pathways by holding meetings with army and tribal leaders, taking advantage of long-term relations.
Some of the leaders present in the summit appeared to appreciate the Egyptian initiative.
But Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed demanded for it to align with the IGAD initiative announced earlier this week, which has nearly the same goals.
Abiy said that as neighbors are working to solve their own internal problems, they should not be perceived to bring in wisdom to their sisterly country, nor should they further complicate a risky situation by prolonging it.
