German Foreign Minister Urges Resolution for Power Struggle in Sudan

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has urged an escalation of efforts to find a negotiated solution to the power struggle in Sudan, signaling a commitment ahead of her visit to the region.

Collaborating with partners in East Africa, Baerbock aims to explore avenues for bringing the two opposing generals in Sudan, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, to the negotiating table. She emphasized the importance of preventing the further descent of the people of Sudan into turmoil and avoiding additional destabilization of the region.

Speaking on Wednesday before embarking on a three-day visit to Djibouti, Kenya, and South Sudan, Baerbock expressed concern about the power struggle between al-Burhan, the de facto head of Sudan, and Daglo, his former deputy and leader of the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, ongoing since April 2023.

Baerbock asserted the necessity of increasing pressure on both sides through measures such as sanctions and holding them accountable for crimes against the civilian population. She also emphasized the need to influence supporters from abroad.

Highlighting the vital roles of regional states, the regional organization IGAD, and the African Union in international mediation efforts, Baerbock stressed the grim toll of the conflict, with over 12,000 deaths and approximately 7.5 million displaced persons.

Baerbock’s schedule includes a meeting with Djibouti Foreign Minister Mahamud Ali Jussuf in the afternoon. She also expressed the intention to engage in discussions with Workneh Gebeyehu, the executive director of the IGAD community of East African states.

Members of IGAD include Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, and Uganda. While Sudan has currently suspended its membership, the group is actively working towards facilitating direct talks for a ceasefire in Sudan.