The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has proposed deploying African troops from neutral countries to enforce a fragile ceasefire in Sudan, coinciding with escalating challenges faced by Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia.
IGAD’s plan, submitted to stakeholders in August, seeks to deploy 4,500 troops, with contributions from multiple nations. Each country would send 900 personnel, including non-military experts, for a six-month renewable term. This force would monitor ceasefire compliance, document violations, and recommend measures to address human rights abuses. The mission’s temporary headquarters would be in Khartoum, Sudan’s political and economic hub.
The initiative builds on the Jeddah Declaration, a truce agreement between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in May 2023. While intended to ensure civilian protection and aid delivery, the deal has faced repeated violations due to the absence of an enforcement mechanism.
Meanwhile, the plight of Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia has worsened. Authorities recently reinstated visa renewal fees and imposed daily fines, reversing an earlier exemption for Sudanese nationals. Many refugees in Addis Ababa face financial difficulties, with some unable to pursue overseas job opportunities due to mounting penalties.
Adding to their challenges, the UNHCR in Ethiopia insists Sudanese refugees relocate to camps instead of registering in urban areas, a policy that contrasts with the treatment of other nationalities. Civil society groups, including the Sudanese Assembly in Addis Ababa, have appealed to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to reconsider the measures.
Experts and humanitarian groups have urged peace-building efforts in Sudan to address the root causes of the conflict, as well as international support for Sudanese refugees. The continued strife in Sudan, combined with limited refugee aid, underscores the urgent need for regional and international intervention.
