I would want to take this opportunity to greet all of our Muslim brothers and sisters a blessed Id-Ul-Fitr as they mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan on behalf of the Kenyan government and people. I’ll also take this opportunity to convey peace and support to our Sudanese relatives.
Our region still carries the deep wounds of war and strife, including the grief of lost loved ones, the agony of suffering among the less fortunate and disrupted livelihoods, and the haunting regret of missed possibilities. All around the Horn of Africa, people long for peace, and Sudan is no different.
Kenya, as always, is prepared to contribute and is adamant that a peaceful diplomatic resolution to the Sudanese issue is achievable. We take note of the Political Framework Agreement’s parties’ gesture to end hostilities in response to the call made by the IGAD Heads of States and Government Summit on April 16, 2023, and later by the African Union’s Emergency Ministerial Meeting on the Situation in Sudan held in Addis Abeba on April 20, 2023, with appreciation.
With a view to putting an end to the violence in Sudan, we welcome the halting of hostilities as a demonstration of good faith and a resolve to halt the spread of conflict, insecurity, instability, and humanitarian disaster. We also intend to pursue peaceful resolution of the remaining issues in the framework agreement. It also indicates a willingness to do this within the parameters of the peacekeeping organizations run by IGAD, the AU, and the UN.
There is now a real chance for the settlement of open disputes through peaceful discussion, in keeping with the African Union’s pledge to put an end to violence by putting African Solutions to African Problems into practice. In line with the larger goal of transforming the Horn of Africa and Eastern Africa in general into a peaceful and secure centre of productivity, globally competitive industry, and sustainable shared prosperity, this will result in the restoration of peace, security, and stability in Sudan.
Kenya now offers to host a mediation process between the parties to the Agreement in order to aid further development in the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Sudan. We extend this invitation in the interests of brotherhood, peace, and unity as a suitable neutral venue and as an active participant who is aware of the problems affecting our region. Kenya has a proven track record of successfully promoting conflict resolution and peacemaking.
We encourage the parties to make the most of this chance and implore IGAD, the AU, and the UN to organize a strong international coalition in support of a thorough peacemaking plan for Sudan.
I relay to Generals Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo the many cries and resounding appeals from our Sudanese brothers and sisters, the people in our region, and the world community that it is now time to give peace a chance. Your dedication to mediating will quickly bring peace and stability back to Sudan.