Sudan’s neighbors underlined on Thursday the importance of fully respecting Sudan’s sovereignty and the integrity of its lands and ending all forms of interference in its internal affairs.
In the final communique, of Sudan’s Neighboring Countries Summit, participants expressed deep concern over military operations and the serious deterioration in the humanitarian and security situation in Sudan.
They urged the warring sides to end escalation and abide by an immediate and lasting ceasefire to stem the bloodshed and avoid the fall of more casualties.
They warned that foreign interference in the conflict prolongs the crisis and makes it even worse.
Leaders from Sudan’s seven neighboring countries Egypt, Libya, Chad, Central Africa, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea, along with the secretary-general of the Arab League, and the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson attended the summit.
The participants underlined the importance of preserving the legitimate State institutions of Sudan and exerting utmost efforts to prevent the spread of chaos that would have a grave toll on the security and stability of neighboring countries.
They underlined the importance of handling the humanitarian crisis resulting from the armed conflict in Sudan, warning that the continuation of the crisis means more burdens on the economies of neighboring countries, urging the international community and donors to shoulder theirs responsibilities and abide by
financial obligations previously announced in a conference on Sudan June 19.
They condemned repeated attacks on civilians and health and service utilities, urging the international community to address the current shortage in medicines and medical supplies.
They underlined the importance of attaching utmost priority to formulating a comprehensive approach to address the current crisis and its humanitarian ramifications, including pertaining to those internally displaced and the growing influx of refugees fleeing the conflict to neighboring states, a challenging situation that creates growing pressure on the resources of neighboring states.
They agreed on the importance of facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid provided to Sudan through the territories of neighboring states in coordination with relevant international agencies and organizations, calling for setting up safe passage for aid delivery to the most affected and vulnerable areas.
The participants underlined the importance of reaching political solution to the Sudanese crisis and launching an inclusive dialogue involving all Sudanese parties that aims at launching an overall political process, prioritizing the aspirations of Sudanese people.
They agreed on forming a ministerial mechanism grouping the foreign ministers of neighboring countries to lay down an applicable solution to end fighting and reaching a comprehensive solution to the Sudanese crisis.
The ministerial mechanism will hold its first meeting in N’Djamena and will be mandated to develop an action-plan that includes practical steps towards stopping the fighting and reaching a comprehensive solution to the crisis through direct communication with various Sudanese parties.
The ministerial group will be assigned with mulling measures required to address the impact of the crisis on the future of Sudan’s stability, unity and territorial integrity, as well as to protect and preserve Sudan’s national institutions.
It will also discuss steps to contain the negative effects of the crisis on neighboring states.
They agreed that the ministerial mechanism will present its recommendations to the next Sudan’s Neighboring States Summit.
At the closing session of the summit, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi announced endorsing the final communique of the summit, expressing his thanks to the participating leaders over their great contributions.
He said today meeting sent a clear-cut message that Sudan’s neighbors have a crucial role in settling the existing crisis and offering help to Sudanese brothers.
He added that he received an invitation from Chadian President Idriss Déby to host the first meeting of the ministerial mechanism.
