The special envoy of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to Sudan, Lawrence Korbandy, has announced plans to visit Port Sudan next month in a bid to mediate the ongoing conflict in the country.
Speaking from Nairobi, Korbandy confirmed the visit, initially scheduled for December, had been postponed to January. “I’m visiting to discuss issues related to peace in Sudan,” he said, emphasizing his mission to foster dialogue among all parties involved in the conflict.
Sudan has been engulfed in violence since April 2023, with clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo (Hemeti), and the Sudanese Armed Forces, headed by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The war has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced over 12 million people.
IGAD, alongside the United States and Saudi Arabia, has made several attempts to mediate between the warring factions, but progress has been limited. Relations between Sudan’s government and IGAD soured earlier this year when the bloc invited Daglo to a summit in Uganda. The Sudanese foreign ministry, aligned with the army, accused IGAD of violating the nation’s sovereignty, prompting Sudan to suspend its membership in the regional body.
Despite the tensions, Korbandy described Sudan’s suspension as a “minor problem” and expressed optimism about his visit, calling it a “positive step” towards resolving the conflict. He reiterated Sudan’s foundational role in IGAD and emphasized the importance of constructive dialogue for peace and the restoration of Sudan’s active participation in the bloc.
“My mandate is to bring peace to the Sudanese people. There is no other way forward but to engage all parties in dialogue,” Korbandy said.
As the conflict continues, both sides face allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity, further underscoring the urgency of finding a resolution.