Sudan Aims to Rejoin IGAD and African Union Amid Political Turbulence

Sudan’s Deputy Head Malik Agar announced the country’s intention to rejoin IGAD and the African Union during a visit to Djibouti. He conveyed this message through a letter from Sovereign Council leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to President Ismail Omar Guelleh. Sudan had suspended its IGAD membership in January 2024 and faced suspension from the African Union after a military coup in October 2021.

On a recent visit to Djibouti, Malik Agar, the deputy head of Sudan’s ruling Sovereign Council, expressed Khartoum’s intention to rejoin the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union. This announcement came during a meeting in which Agar delivered a letter from the Sovereign Council leader and army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, to Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh, who holds the rotating presidency of IGAD.

The letter emphasized Sudan’s aspiration to restore its membership in these regional blocs to strengthen bilateral ties and regional cooperation. Sudan previously suspended its IGAD membership on January 20, 2024, due to the participation of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemetti, at an extraordinary summit in Uganda.

Furthermore, Sudan’s membership in the African Union was suspended following a military coup on October 25, 2021, which involved al-Burhan and Hemetti. This history highlights the complexities of Sudan’s political landscape and its relations with regional organizations that play a critical role in addressing stability and security in the region.

In summary, Sudan’s proactive approach to rejoining IGAD and the African Union, as indicated by Malik Agar’s visit to Djibouti, reflects its desire to enhance international relations and regain a foothold in regional affairs. This move follows previous suspensions related to political unrest, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by Sudan in its pursuit of stability and integration within the region.

Original Source: capitalethiopia.com