Current:Home > BackEU, AU, US say Sudan war and Somalia’s tension with Ethiopia threaten Horn of Africa’s stability-LoTradeCoin
EU, AU, US say Sudan war and Somalia’s tension with Ethiopia threaten Horn of Africa’s stability
View Date:2025-01-11 15:54:49
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The African Union, European Union, and United States called Thursday for an immediate cease-fire and constructive dialogue between warring factions in Sudan.
The groups also called for an end to tension between Somalia and Ethiopia over an agreement signed between Ethiopia and Somalia’s breakaway region Somaliland.
Representatives of the groups, who spoke in Kampala, Uganda, after the meeting of an East African regional bloc, said that the two crises are threatening regional stability in the Horn of Africa.
Sudan’s armed forces and the rival Rapid Support Forces have been fighting for control of Sudan since April. Long-standing tensions erupted into street battles in the capital and other areas including the western Darfur region.
The AU, EU and U.S. and U.N noted that the fighting has displaced 7 million people and kept 19 million children out of school.
Michael Hammer, U.S. special envoy for the Horn of Africa, called on Sudan’s factions to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law and to fulfill recent commitments to stop fighting.
“It’s time for them to take action consistent with their stated claims that they want to stop the fighting and meet the needs of the people,” Hammer said.
He spoke after the regional bloc Intergovernmental Authority on Development, or IGAD, held an emergency meeting of heads of states in Kampala to discuss the Sudan war and rising tension between Somalia and Ethiopia.
Hammer said the leader of Sudan’s army, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, who is known as Hemedti, must follow through on their promise at a Dec. 9 IGAD summit to reach an unconditional cease-fire.
“They will be responsible for the break up of Sudan if this conflict continues,” Hammer said.
The first step is an enforceable cease-fire that can be closely monitored, said Ramtane Lamamra, the U.N. envoy for Sudan.
“Guns must be silenced,” he said, adding that the war endangers “stability of the entire region and beyond.”
On Tuesday, the Sudanese government suspended ties with the east African regional bloc, accusing it of violating Sudan’s sovereignty by inviting the paramilitary leader to a summit. Hemedti attended Thursday’s summit in Kampala but did not speak.
Regarding Somalia, the AU, EU and U.S. said they recognize the country’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, including the breakaway region of Somaliland.
Tension has been rising after land-locked Ethiopia signed an agreement on Jan. 1 with Somaliland to give it access to the sea. Somaliland in return expects Ethiopia soon to recognize the region as an independent state, which angers Somalia.
Hammer said the U.S. is particularly concerned that the tensions could undermine international-backed efforts to combat al-Qaida-linked militants in Somalia.
Annette Weber, the EU special envoy for the Horn of Africa, said the two crises have a common link with Red Sea, which she called a critical waterway carrying 10 percent of global cargo.
Weber also said there needs to be a collective response among Horn of Africa countries against attacks on ships by Yemen-based Houthi rebels.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- New York nursing home operator accused of neglect settles with state for $45M
- RHOC Alum Alexis Bellino Shows Off Sparkling Promise Ring from John Janssen
- Ken Jennings reveals Mayim Bialik's 'Jeopardy!' exit 'took me off guard'
- Mbongeni Ngema, South African playwright and creator of 'Sarafina!,' has died at 68
- Massachusetts lawmakers to consider a soccer stadium for the New England Revolution
- Denver police investigating threats against Colorado Supreme Court justices after ruling disqualifying Trump from holding office
- Doctors are pushing Hollywood for more realistic depictions of death and dying on TV
- Over 50 French stars defend Gérard Depardieu with essay amid sexual misconduct claims
- Burt Bacharach, composer of classic songs, will have papers donated to Library of Congress
- Fantasy football rankings for Week 17: Healthy QBs hold keys to championship quest
Ranking
- Lululemon, Disney partner for 34-piece collection and campaign: 'A dream collaboration'
- Lee Sun-kyun, star of Oscar-winning film 'Parasite,' found dead in South Korea
- Colorado man sentenced in Nevada power plant fire initially described as terror attack
- Almcoin Trading Center: Detailed Explanation of Token Allocation Ratio.
- Shawn Mendes Confesses He and Camila Cabello Are No Longer the Closest
- Stock market today: Asian shares power higher following slight gains on Wall Street
- 6 dead, 3 injured in head-on car crash in Johnson County, Texas, Hwy 67 closed
- Jacques Delors, architect of the modern EU and ‘Mr. Europe,’ dies aged 98
Recommendation
-
Rafael dissolves into a low pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico after hitting Cuba as a hurricane
-
The Excerpt podcast: 2023 in Music - Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and More
-
Live updates | UN warns of impeded aid deliveries as Israel expands offensive in Gaza
-
Pope Francis blasts the weapons industry, appeals for peace in Christmas message
-
Indiana in the top five of the College Football Playoff rankings? You've got to be kidding
-
A helicopter crashes into a canal near Miami and firefighters rescue both people on board
-
Man arrested in stabbing at New York’s Grand Central Terminal charged with hate crimes
-
A lifestyle and enduring relationship with horses lends to the popularity of rodeo in Indian Country