Nairobi — Foreign Ministers drawn from the IGAD quartet of Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and South Sudan have endorsed a roadmap to Sudan peace talks amid resistance from Khartoum's General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan-led camp.
The ministers agreed on the roadmap on Monday following a virtual meeting led by Kenya's Alfred Mutua even as the al-Burhan-controlled Foreign Ministry voiced its objection.
Al-Burhan, Sudan's military chief is engaged in a vicious war with General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo "Hemetti", the leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces following a fallout in April.
"Sudan is not concerned with the outcome of the meeting, because it is still waiting for a response from the IGAD regarding Sudan's objection to Kenya's chairmanship of the quartet committee," Sudan's MFA stated on Monday.
Sudan's Foreign Office contested Kenya's characterization of the conflict as "fighting between two generals," signaling its refusal to formally recognize Hemetti who deputized al-Burhan in the transitional sovereign council tasked to rule the country.
"The way in which the Kenyan government deals with the mediation file contradicts with the basic principles of the IGAD, represented in respecting the sovereignty of states," the ministry said.
IGAD nevertheless released a ten-point outcome document following Monday's virtual session said the quartet committee approved a proposal to appoint a Special Envoy of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
The committee which included Djibouti's Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Ethiopia's Demeke Mekonnen Hassen and South Sudan's Deng Dau Deng said the Special Envoy will lead liaison efforts.
"The Committee of Ministers of the IGAD Quartet group of countries agreed to appoint an IGAD Special Envoy for the Republic of Sudan as presented by the IGAD Executive Secretary and approved by the IGAD Council of Ministers to coordinate and lead mediation efforts," a communique released by IGAD on Tuesday read.
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Timelines for Nairobi-led talks
The meeting further agreed to expedite a mediation process leading to a transition to civilian rule.
"The quartet will launch an all-inclusive political process aimed at achieving sustainable peace and peaceful transition to democracy and civilian rule to be hosted by the Republic of Kenya in mid-July or the first week of August 2023," IGAD revealed.
The quartet's endorsement of a Nairobi-led process despite al-Burhan's resistance came days after Kenya's Foreign Office maintained that the IGAD-mandated talks will proceed under President William Ruto.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'Oei said in a statement on June 16 that warring parties will not dictate the exercise.
"We shall continue to work with all to urgently restore peace in Sudan based on an inclusive process as guided by decisions of regional and international mechanisms rather than the views of any side to the conflict," Sing'Oei said.
MFA had earlier dismissed assertions pointing to Sudan's rejection of Ruto's role saying Kenya's leadership of the process could only be revoked by the IGAD Summit.
Sudan's Sovereign Council resulted from fierce negotiations following a coup d'état in April 2019 leading to downfall of longtime ruler Omar al Bashir.
