By The Smartencyclopedia Staff & Agencies
NAIROBI, KENYA — In a united call for peace and stability in the Horn of Africa, the African Union (AU), European Union (EU), and the United States have urged an immediate cease-fire and constructive dialogue between the warring factions in Sudan. The joint appeal also addressed the escalating tension between Somalia and Ethiopia over an agreement between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland.
Representatives of these international bodies convened in Kampala, Uganda, following a meeting of the East African regional bloc. They emphasized the critical nature of these two crises and their potential to destabilize the entire Horn of Africa region.
Sudan has been grappling with internal strife as its armed forces and the rival Rapid Support Forces engage in conflict since April. The long-standing tensions erupted into street battles, affecting various regions, including the troubled Darfur region. The AU, EU, U.S., and U.N. collectively expressed concern over the displacement of 7 million people and the dire situation where 19 million children are unable to attend school due to the ongoing violence.
Michael Hammer, U.S. special envoy for the Horn of Africa, urged Sudan’s factions to abide by international humanitarian law and fulfill their recent commitments to halt the fighting. He emphasized the need for tangible actions consistent with their stated intentions to end the conflict and address the urgent needs of the affected population.
The AU, EU, and U.S., together with the U.N., have called for an enforceable cease-fire, emphasizing the necessity of closely monitoring compliance. Ramtane Lamamra, the U.N. envoy for Sudan, stressed the urgency of silencing guns, highlighting the broader regional consequences of the ongoing war.
At an emergency meeting in Kampala, the regional bloc, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), discussed both the Sudanese conflict and the rising tension between Somalia and Ethiopia. Hammer cautioned that the leaders of Sudan’s army, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), would bear responsibility for Sudan’s potential breakup if the conflict persisted.
In response to the renewed calls for a cease-fire, the United Nations announced the commencement of its Fact-Finding Mission in Sudan. This mission, established by the U.N. Human Rights Council, has been tasked with investigating human rights violations and international humanitarian law breaches since April 15.
Meanwhile, Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, including the status of Somaliland, were acknowledged by the AU, EU, and U.S. The tension between Somalia and Ethiopia escalated after Ethiopia signed an agreement with Somaliland on January 1, granting it access to the sea. The U.S. expressed particular concern that these tensions could undermine international efforts to combat al-Qaida-linked militants in Somalia.
Annette Weber, the EU special envoy for the Horn of Africa, emphasized the interconnectedness of these crises, pointing to the Red Sea as a critical waterway carrying 10 percent of global cargo. She also stressed the need for a collective response among Horn of Africa countries to address attacks on ships by Yemen-based Houthi rebels.
As these international bodies come together to address the pressing issues in the Horn of Africa, the hope is to bring about a cessation of hostilities, foster dialogue, and pave the way for lasting stability in the region.