BY DESTA GEBREHIWOT
For years now, Sudan has been caught in a make-or-break transition with political instability rocking the entire nation. The transition has been marred by recurrent violence and instability putting the people on receiving end of socioeconomic fallouts.
The disagreement between the civilian and the military leadership has also been making the path to transition bumpy. Even worse, the skirmish within the military leadership also upped the ante risking a domino effect in the already volatile region.
Fortunately for foreign mercenaries and unfortunately for the region, the crisis in Sudan served as a leeway for other countries to step in and intervene in the country. The external intervention poured gasoline into the fire and has been taking the country into unchartered territory.
there are foreign entities that have been meddling in the internal affairs of the country by funneling finance and military support to warring factions. Lately, in what could be said from fire to praying pan, things took a worse path as competing military factions entered war descending the country to a fresh yet consequential situation.
The latest conflict has been putting the civilian people at the crossfire and risking fear of possible expansion of violence to other parts of the region. The people of Sudan have been going through uncertain and tumultuous times as they continue to face a multitude of socioeconomic and political ramifications.
With actors throwing everything they can into the conflict taking sides with conflicting parties, the time proves tough to restore peace and order in the Horn Africa’s biggest country. And, with the military factions showing no sign of compromise, the stake is becoming high and the pitfalls are appearing to be many.
There are also the latest reports that the situation remains fluid with conflicting sides and some foreign entities taking the battle to cities and civilian residences. It is stark proof that the involvement of foreign powers would exacerbate the tense situation on the ground and may send the country on an unknown path.
There are also grim predictions that the current instability would be creating a fertile ground for many proxies and mercenaries to get involved in the internal affairs of Sudan and stock the violence. And, if things take another twist, the conflict could further go spiral out of control and impact the entire region. It is for this very reason that regional countries and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development are racing against time to mediate warring factions.
There have been statements from neighboring countries calling on the warring parties to cease fire and suspend hostilities. Some countries and the regional bloc have sent their representatives to Sudan. But, the fighting has thus far shown no sign of slowing down with the warring sides remaining adamant.
However, for many, finding an independent and internal solution is the right prescription to end the fighting. In this regard, Ethiopia has been urging Sudan to resolve its conflict independently devoid of the intervention of foreign entities.
In this regard, Ethiopia sets a practical example to Khartoum as it lately ended a two–year conflict through an internal and independent mechanism. The Pretoria peace deal signed between the Ethiopian government and Tigray People’s Liberation Front has been an acclaimed success not in its signing but in its implementation.
In fact, the peace deal has been receiving recognition from the global community. And, this is exactly what Ethiopia has been urging the Sudanese people to do. In fact, Ethiopia has been a strong partner and close neighbor of the Sudanese people. The country previously played a big role in mediating and helping Sudan’s conflicting sides reach an agreement.
In a show of support for Sudan, the country has urged the Sudanese people to address their internal problems independently. In his recent social media post, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that the people of Sudan have enough wisdom and ability to solve the current crisis in the country.
“The people of Sudan never negotiate on their pride and national dignity as it is known throughout its ancient history,” Abiy added. “For his independence, and clinging to his freedom; and that it is a people who never negotiate on their pride and national dignity”, Abiy has stated.
“Among the many good qualities that characterize the Sudanese people are generosity and hospitality, adding these values are in addition to the social bonds that bind the peoples of Ethiopia and Sudan” he underscores.
“And because the Sudanese people are proud by nature, it is not permissible, in any way, to allow external forces to infringe their dignity and their freedom; the Sudanese people have enough wisdom and ability to solve the current crisis, which facing the country, PM Abiy adds.
He said: It is not permissible for any external party to interfere in the country’s affairs without its will.“We in Ethiopia have a firm belief that the proud Sudanese people have all the wisdom to overcome this misfortune, which the country is going through now; it is right to leave it for the country and people to solve it.”
“The goal should be only with the intention of achieving reconciliation between the brothers and establish peace, Attempts without that, with hidden motives and agendas, seek to destroy it, the country’s destinies will inevitably be condemned in the court of history,” PM Abiy noted. Regarding Ethiopia’s stand, Abiy reaffirmed his country’s firm belief that the Sudanese people have all the wisdom to quell the current circumstance, that the country is going through now.
“While the desire of Ethiopia is evident to see the people of Sudan resolve their own problems with the wisdom they are accustomed to; we stress, for our part again, that we always are with the public interest of Sudan and its people, we strongly condemn all attempts to interfere in Sudanese affairs illegally, and condemned before history” PM Abiy has stated.
Similarly, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen, held a telephone conversation with the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan, Ali El-Sadig Ali.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Demeke conveyed Ali El-Sadig Ethiopia’s deep concern over the ongoing fighting in Sudan. He expressed Ethiopia’s solidarity with the people of Sudan and sympathy for those who lost their lives and were caught in the crossfires.
Demeke also conveyed Ethiopia’s confidence that the brotherly people of Sudan will find a Sudanese solution to regain peace and order in these final days of the Holy Month of Ramadan. To sum up, the ongoing conflict in Sudan has a far-reaching impact on the region and beyond. And, addressing the problem lies mainly on the shoulder of the Sudanese people. Ethiopia would remain to be a key ally as usual during this troubling time.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 20 APRIL 2023
