Sudan to rejoin IGAD after 11-month suspension
The suspension, initially announced in January, came as a protest against decisions made during an IGAD summit in Uganda, where RSF commander Hamdan Dagalo was given a platform alongside regional leaders.
Sudan is expected to rejoin IGAD, 11 months after the military leadership in Port Sudan suspended the country's membership, citing "violations of sovereignty."
The suspension was triggered by IGAD's decision to invite RSF leader Hamdan Dagalo to a summit in January.
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Lawrence Korbandy, IGAD's special envoy for Sudan, confirmed to Sudan Tribune that Sudan has agreed to reintegrate into the bloc. Korbandy, who is scheduled to visit Port Sudan in January, stressed the importance of Sudan's role within IGAD and the need for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
"Sudan's return to the organisation is crucial," Korbandy said, highlighting the necessity of regional cooperation during these turbulent times.
The suspension, initially announced in January, came as a protest against decisions made during an IGAD summit in Uganda, where RSF commander Hamdan Dagalo was given a platform alongside regional leaders.
In August, Korbandy held discussions with Sudanese military authorities, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, in Port Sudan.
These talks resulted in an initial agreement for Sudan to rejoin the regional body. IGAD has since invited Sudan to participate in a security conference held in December in Mombasa, Kenya.
The conference, organised by IGAD's Security Sector Programme (IGAD SSP) under its Peace and Security Division, focused on the operationalisation of the IGAD Regional Cooperation and Coordination Mechanism (RCCM) against Transnational Security Threats (TSTs).
Sudan's return to IGAD comes against the backdrop of a devastating war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group.
The conflict, which began in mid-April 2023, has killed thousands and displaced over seven million people.
The war erupted over an internationally supported plan to integrate the RSF into the national army as part of a transition towards elections.
The army and RSF initially shared power following the ouster of longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir during a popular uprising in 2019.
However, the two factions jointly staged a coup in 2021 that derailed Sudan's democratic transition, ultimately leading to the current conflict.
Both sides have been accused of committing war crimes, including indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas, torture, and arbitrary detention.
Despite appointing a special envoy, IGAD has largely been criticised for its muted response to the conflict.
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