By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Associated Press
Published on 2024-01-19 06:57:47
NAIROBI, Kenya — On Thursday, The African Union, European Union, and United States jointly called for an immediate cease-fire and constructive dialogue between warring factions in Sudan. They also urged an end to the tension between Somalia and Ethiopia over an agreement signed between Ethiopia and Somalia’s breakaway region, Somaliland. The representatives of these groups mentioned that these two crises are threatening regional stability in the Horn of Africa following the meeting of an East African regional bloc in Kampala, Uganda.
Sudan’s armed forces and the rival Rapid Support Forces have been in a prolonged fight for control of Sudan since April, leading to street battles in the capital and other areas, including the western Darfur region. These battles have displaced 7 million people and deprived 19 million children of school, according to the AU, EU, U.S., and U.N.
Michael Hammer, U.S. special envoy for the Horn of Africa, emphasized the importance of adhering to obligations under international humanitarian law and fulfilling commitments to stop fighting. He spoke after the regional bloc Intergovernmental Authority on Development, or IGAD, held an emergency meeting of heads of states in Kampala to discuss the Sudan war and rising tension between Somalia and Ethiopia.
Hammer also noted the responsibility of Sudan’s army leader, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces commander, Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, in reaching an unconditional cease-fire. He stressed the need for an enforceable cease-fire that can be closely monitored to ensure the safety of the people and stability within the region.
The joint statement also called for recognizing Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, including the breakaway region of Somaliland, and expressed concern about the tension arising from the agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland. They are particularly concerned that these tensions could undermine international-backed efforts to combat al-Qaida-linked militants in Somalia.
Furthermore, they called for a collective response among Horn of Africa countries against attacks on ships by Yemen-based Houthi rebels and emphasized the criticality of the Red Sea, which carries 10 percent of global cargo. Amid these calls for peace and cooperation, the United Nations announced the initiation of the U.N. Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan to investigate violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in the region.
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