By Emelda Siama John Lopula
Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) is calling on the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to push the Sudanese warring generals to adhere to a ceasefire.
The IGAD head of state meet in Djibouti to discuss peace and security in the region, with much focus on the conflict in Sudan.
In recent, violence in Sudan resumed immediately after one day of ceasefire was declared on Friday.
Edmund Yakani, the executive director for CEPO is optimistic that the beginning of the IGAD summit in Djibouti could silence the guns in the war-torn Sudan.
CEPO welcomed and appreciated the long-awaited IGAD head of state and government summit on the Sudan political crisis, which is taking place in Djibouti today.
“Our expectations are that the meeting reaches a consensus on handling the situation in Sudan, and this should embrace an inclusive process in which all stakeholders will take part,” she added.
Mr. Yakani called on the warring parties to also listen to IGAD’s call to end their differences through peaceful dialogue rather than barrels of guns.
“I would like to ask IGAD to ensure that they urge the warring parties in Sudan to adhere to the ceasefire and to the humanitarian assistance,” he appealed.
Yakani suggested the IGAD leaders make concerted calls for the protection of persons with disabilities in the face of the Sudan crisis who are facing big challenges.
President Salva Kiir traveled to Djibouti for a two-day IGAD meeting meant to attain peace and security in the region, particularly in Sudan, which has sunk into war since April 15th.
President Kiir joins his regional counterparts, Kenyan President Dr. William Ruto and Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh, on the IGAD mediation committee on the Sudan conflict.
However, it is not clear whether the representatives of the conflicting parties in Sudan will be part of the meeting or not.