The heads of state or government of the eight member countries of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad) meet in Nairobi on Tuesday for the 39th extraordinary meeting to discuss “matters of common concern in the region.”
The Summit comes amid escalating tensions between Sudan and Ethiopia, both members of Igad, following a border skirmish between Sudanese and Ethiopian militaries.
Igad Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu visited Sudan over the weekend, where he met with the President of the Junta’s Sovereignty Council, Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
Dr. Workneh had previously “urged the two sister countries to actively seek diplomatic means to find a lasting and sustainable solution.”
Sudan, which currently chairs the regional trade bloc, says the summit “turned into a critical and important time.”
During his visit to Sudan, Dr. Workneh told journalists that Tuesday’s summit ‘is above all a family gathering’ and all leaders are confirmed to attend.”
“I am very confident that our leaders will meet the will discuss issues affecting the region, the challenge to peace and security and the drought situation consequences of climate change,” he said in Khartoum last weekend.
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