Djibouti and Sudan discuss peace efforts and Khartoum’s return to the African Union

Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh and Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris held talks on Wednesday on efforts to achieve peace and stability in Sudan, as well as Khartoum’s return to the African Union.

Idris was received at the presidential palace in Djibouti, according to the official Sudan News Agency (SUNA).

Sudan has been gripped by war since April 2023, when the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began clashing with the Sudanese army amid disputes over the unification of the military institution. The conflict has fuelled one of the world’s worst famine crises, killed tens of thousands of Sudanese, and displaced around 13 million people.

SUNA said Idris briefed Guelleh on the latest developments in Sudan, including what he described as “victories achieved by the armed forces” and their defeat of the “rebel Rapid Support Forces militia”.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s stated commitment to peace and stability, warning that the war “poses a major threat to the entire region”.

He also stressed Sudan’s desire to deepen coordination with Djibouti, including exchanging expertise in the port sector, expanding cooperation on regional platforms, and strengthening trade and economic relations between the two countries.

The meeting also addressed the need for Sudan to return to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union, with Djibouti expressing readiness to support Sudan across multiple areas, SUNA reported.

Sudan’s participation in African Union activities was suspended after army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan imposed exceptional measures on 25^th October 2021, including dissolving the Sovereignty Council and the transitional cabinet, arresting ministers and politicians, declaring a state of emergency, and dismissing state governors.

Separately, Khartoum announced on 20^th January 2024 that it was suspending its membership in IGAD, citing what it described as “violations” by the bloc, including placing the Sudan situation on the agenda of the 42^nd IGAD Summit without prior consultation.