The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has welcomed the decision by the Republic of the Sudan to resume its full participation in the regional bloc, describing the move as an important step toward restoring regional unity and coordinated diplomacy in the Horn of Africa.
In a statement issued on Monday, the IGAD Executive Secretary, H.E. Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, said Sudan’s return reaffirms the principles of regional solidarity and collective commitment to peace, stability, and cooperation across the region.
“As a founding Member State, Sudan’s renewed engagement strengthens IGAD’s unity and enhances the organisation’s capacity to address shared regional priorities,” Dr Gebeyehu said.
The Executive Secretary expressed appreciation to H.E. Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti and current Chairperson of IGAD, for his leadership and constructive engagement in guiding the process. He commended President Guelleh’s steadfast commitment to dialogue and consensus-building in advancing regional cohesion.
Background to Sudan’s Suspension
Sudan suspended its membership in IGAD in January 2024 after the organisation invited Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, head of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), to a summit held in Uganda that sought to address the country’s ongoing conflict. The Sudanese government strongly objected to the invitation, arguing that it conferred political legitimacy on an armed group engaged in hostilities against the state.
The decision to step back from IGAD came amid mounting friction over regional mediation efforts, with Khartoum raising concerns about neutrality and the structure of dialogue initiatives involving the warring parties.
The RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have been at war since April 2023 in a conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced an estimated 11 million, and triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, according to international and humanitarian agencies.
Renewed Engagement
Sudan’s resumption of full participation follows renewed diplomatic consultations within the region and reflects growing recognition of the need for coordinated regional engagement to address the conflict and its cross-border implications.
IGAD pledged its readiness to work closely with Sudan in advancing efforts toward a peaceful resolution of the crisis, as well as in supporting a secure and prosperous future for the Sudanese people and the wider region.
Sudan’s return is widely viewed as a step toward restoring a unified regional approach at a time when instability in Sudan continues to pose significant humanitarian, security, and economic challenges for the Horn of Africa.
