IGAD cancels South Sudan summit over Sudan fighting

JUBA, APRIL 17, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has cancelled its meeting that was expected to take place in South Sudan’s capital Juba this week to discuss regional issues including the revitalized peace agreement.

In a statement, South Sudan’s foreign ministry blamed the postponement on what it called “unavoidable circumstances” and said that the decision was reached following consultations between the IGAD Council of Ministers and the Secretariat.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation wishes to inform the public that an extraordinary meeting of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Council of Ministers scheduled for April 18, 2023, in Juba, South Sudan, has been canceled due to unavoidable circumstances,” said the South Sudan foreign ministry.

“The new date will be announced accordingly in due course, following the consultations with the secretariat of IGAD and the chair of IGAD Council of Ministers,” the statement a copy of which was extended to Sudans Post reads in part.

The regional bloc was expected to meet in Juba on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, to discuss regional issues including the implementation process of South Sudan’s revitalized peace agreement which has been slow.

Although the statement did not indicate the reason behind the cancellation of the high-level meeting, Sudan which is the chair of IGAD has been in crisis since Saturday after militia Rapid Support Forces (RSF) under Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Daglo – or Hemedti – started war against the army.