International and African leaders, along with Sudanese politicians, have condemned the Sudanese army for blocking peace efforts and rejecting dialogue to end the war in Sudan. Speaking at a high-level symposium in Nairobi, Kenya, they noted the army’s boycott of key negotiation platforms, including the Jeddah forum in mid-2023, the Manama talks late last year, and the Geneva negotiations earlier this year. The event was organized by the Kofi Annan Foundation, Amina Life, and the Maghreb-African Center, aiming to launch a new peace process under the African Union’s auspices.
The Nairobi symposium brought together representatives from diplomatic missions, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and delegations from various African and international countries, including Kenya, the United States, Canada, Mozambique, and Botswana. The participants voiced deep concern over the Sudanese army’s insistence on a military approach and its alliance with extremist Islamic groups and militias, which have further complicated the conflict.
Former Kenyan Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed opened the conference by highlighting the devastating humanitarian consequences of the war, which has displaced millions of Sudanese internally and across borders. Mohamed emphasized the crucial role of African institutions such as the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in spearheading peace efforts and urged international support to pressure Sudanese parties into dialogue. She also warned of the worsening influence of extremist groups involved in the conflict, which threatens both Sudan’s stability and regional security.
Mongi Hamdi, former Tunisian Foreign Minister and United Nations representative to Mali, warned that the Sudanese conflict has faded from international media attention despite its dire impact. Hamdi pointed to the presence of multiple militias from neighboring countries, extremist groups such as ISIS, and the risks posed by foreign radical Islamist factions embedding themselves in Sudan’s chaos. He called for serious international investigations into reports that the Sudanese army may have used chemical weapons during the conflict, a charge that has contributed to sanctions imposed by the United States on the army.
The symposium participants held the Sudanese army primarily responsible for the failure of previous peace initiatives starting with the Jeddah forum, which had raised hopes for ending the war. They accused the army of deliberately undermining dialogue by boycotting negotiations and pursuing arms deals with countries that include Iran, Turkey, and recently Pakistan, reinforcing its military capabilities at the expense of peace.
Twabia Gomo of OCHA detailed the catastrophic humanitarian situation, citing that 10 million people have been displaced since the conflict began in early 2023. He described severe food shortages and healthcare crises, with over 500,000 people living in displacement camps in regions such as Darfur and Kordofan. Gomo lamented that women constitute 75% of those exposed to health and humanitarian risks, a reflection of the army’s rejection of peaceful resolutions and its obstruction of aid delivery.
Former IGAD Secretary General Mahboub Al-Moallem highlighted the conflict’s dangerous regional spillover, urging a renewed commitment to Africa-led peace processes that build on previous efforts. Barnaba Benjamin, former South Sudan Foreign Minister, echoed concerns that the conflict risks engulfing the broader region, particularly with the growth of armed extremist groups.
The official spokesman of the Democratic Alliance “Sumoud,” Bakri Al-Jak, condemned Islamist factions and the Islamic Movement for prolonging the conflict to regain power. He criticized the use of hate speech and mobilization tactics by Islamists and the Sudanese army, which worsen the country’s deep social and political divisions. Al-Jak stressed that a military solution would only fuel further wars and underlined the importance of civilian governance and genuine dialogue to restore peace and democracy.
The Nairobi symposium concluded with a unanimous call for the African Union, IGAD, and the United Nations to intensify pressure on Sudan’s military leaders and extremist allies, to enable a comprehensive peace process that includes humanitarian aid and paves the way for elections and democratic governance in Sudan. The organizers viewed this initiative as a critical step in refocusing international attention on Sudan and advancing lasting peace in the Horn of Africa.
Mt Kenya Times