Several leaders, including Yoweri Museveni, William Ruto, and Ahmed Ali Abiy, missed the IGAD meeting designed to discuss the South Sudan crisis. Their absences were notable, as only Somalia’s President attended, while ministers represented the others. The summit focused on encouraging dialogue among South Sudan’s leadership and reaffirmed commitments to prior peace agreements amidst escalating violence.
The recent 43rd Extraordinary Assembly meeting of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) focusing on the South Sudan crisis was notably attended by very few leaders. Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, Kenya’s President William Ruto, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy did not participate in the virtual meeting, convened by Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, the President of Djibouti. Only Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of Somalia, attended alongside representatives from the absent leaders.
Although absent, leaders Museveni and Ruto were represented by ministers during the assembly. Museveni’s delegation included Jacob Marksons Oboth, Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Henry Oryem Okello, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and John Mulimba, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Affairs. Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Gideon Timothewos represented Abiy, while Dr. Monica Juma served as Ruto’s representative.
During the meeting, the attending leaders urged South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and First Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar to seek dialogue to resolve ongoing conflicts. The IGAD communique emphasized that dialogue is essential for resolving disputes, reaffirming the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) as crucial for the peace process.
Furthermore, the summit expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation in South Sudan, which has been plagued by increasing violence and violations of prior ceasefire agreements. The rising tensions, notably in Juba following the Nasir incident, were specifically highlighted as alarming, with calls for the leaders to act to stabilize the region.
IGAD continues to play a critical role as the guarantor of the fragile peace agreements in South Sudan. The 2018 agreement aimed to restore the unity government after the previous agreements in 2015 and 2016 failed to maintain stability.
The absent attendance of key leaders at the IGAD summit underscores the complex dynamics surrounding the South Sudan crisis. Although represented by ministers, the involvement of Museveni, Ruto, and Abiy in separate engagements highlights continued diplomatic efforts. The summit’s call for dialogue and the reaffirmation of the 2018 peace agreement reflects IGAD’s commitment to resolving the ongoing conflicts and fostering stability in South Sudan.
Original Source: chimpreports.com
