Employers' confederation calls for IGAD support to stabilise Sudan's economy amid conflict

The Confederation of IGAD Employers (CIE) has urged urgent regional and international interventions to stabilise Sudan's economy and support its struggling private sector amid the ongoing conflict.

In a resolution passed at its Third Annual General Meeting in Nairobi, CIE called on Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) member states to ease the establishment of Sudanese businesses in their countries to help them rebuild.

"As we conclude this three-day General Assembly in Nairobi, one of the most pressing issues we've addressed is the situation of Sudanese businesses, scattered across the IGAD region due to the ongoing war," said CIE president Bol Andrew Wieu Riak.

Riak also appealed to the international community to step in and assist business owners who have lost their livelihoods, enabling them to recover and rebuild.

"This resolution reflects our shared commitment to supporting Sudan's business community during these challenging times," he added.

The resolution called for diplomatic efforts, emergency economic assistance, and stronger institutional support for Sudanese businesses.

Resilience strategies

The CIE also emphasised the need for collaboration among regional employer organisations to develop resilience strategies for affected businesses.

"This resolution marks a pivotal moment in the CIE's efforts to ensure the long-term stability of Sudan's economy and its integration within the IGAD region," Riak said.

Sudan is facing one of its worst crises in modern history as conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues to push the country into deeper turmoil.

The ongoing war, which erupted in April 2023, has led to mass displacement and severe humanitarian distress.

Humanitarian groups estimate that 11.3 million people have been forced from their homes, with communities struggling to survive due to conflict, climate change, and environmental disasters.

The United Nations has warned that Sudan remains highly vulnerable, facing severe droughts, deadly floods, and escalating violence.

Attacks on civilians

According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), more than 700 attacks on civilians were recorded between October and December 2024.

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• IGAD
• Sudanese Armed Forces
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• Confederation of IGAD Employers
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• Sudan's economy
• Employers' confederation calls for IGAD support to stabilise Sudan's economy amid conflict
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In December 2024 alone, there were 199 incidents, following 217 in November and 288 in October.

The violence has intensified in 2025, with ACLED documenting 208 violent events in January, a 78 per cent increase from the same period last year.

Among the recent victims were a high school student killed on January 5 and a father shot dead in front of his children on January 8.

As Sudan plunges deeper into chaos, humanitarian organisations continue to warn of its devastating impact on civilians, particularly children.

Rights groups are calling for urgent international intervention to stop the violence and protect those caught in the conflict.