South Sudan's Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Dau Deng

Regional ministers back IGAD to address Sudan conflict

Regional ministers convened in the Chadian capital, N’Djamena, on Monday and gave their resounding endorsement for the continued involvement of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in facilitating the resolution of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, according to South Sudan’s Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Deng Dau Deng.

Regional ministers convened in the Chadian capital, N’Djamena, on Monday and gave their resounding endorsement for the continued involvement of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in facilitating the resolution of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, according to South Sudan’s Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Deng Dau Deng.

Speaking to reporters upon his return home upon his return, Minister Deng emphasized the significance of this decision, stating that the unrest in Sudan, particularly the clash between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces, has begun to spill over into neighbouring countries, warranting collective action. He passionately called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and appealed to the involved parties to grant unrestricted access to humanitarian aid for the distressed civilian population.

Deng said: “It was reported that the situation remains incredibly critical and dire. The war is still intensifying. The suffering of the civilians is very acute and difficult. We agreed that something must be done to rescue and save the Sudanese nation.”

Elaborating further, Deng disclosed that his ministry put forth a comprehensive report during the summit, outlining the predicament of Sudanese refugees situated in camps across the northern regions of South Sudan.

“At present, our country shelters around 230,000 refugees across various states in our northern regions. We expounded on the gravity of this situation and the collaborative efforts undertaken by the government and humanitarian organizations,” he elucidated.

Among the pivotal points underscored by the assembled ministers was the necessity of establishing humanitarian warehouses within neighbouring nations. The objective is to expedite the transportation of vital relief materials and medical provisions to the war-affected civilian population.

 Deng expounded on this aspect by stating, “It was discussed that dedicated humanitarian warehouses need to be created. These warehouses would ensure the swift provision of emergency relief and medical aid for those affected by the war.”

The Sudanese conflict, characterized by internal strife involving various factions and forces, has had far-reaching implications beyond the nation’s borders. Its multifaceted nature and intricate geopolitical dynamics have made it a challenging issue to address comprehensively.