PRESS STATEMENT

MATTHEW MILLER, DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON

DECEMBER 10, 2023

The United States applauds IGAD’s leadership, in coordination with the African Union and other international and regional partners, toward securing an immediate end to the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and its commitment to addressing the humanitarian needs of the people of Sudan at the 41st Extraordinary Summit of IGAD Heads of States and Government. We express our appreciation to President of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh for the invitation to participate in the summit, held in Djibouti December 9 to address the conflict in Sudan.

The United States welcomes the stated commitments during the summit of SAF General Burhan and RSF General Hemedti to an unconditional ceasefire and a one-to-one meeting between them. For the sake of the people of Sudan and regional stability, the United States demands the SAF and RSF abide by these commitments and enter talks without delay. We join IGAD in reiterating to the belligerent parties that there is no acceptable military solution to the conflict in Sudan. We strongly endorse the condemnation by IGAD of support to the warring parties, which only serves to fuel the conflict.

We share IGAD’s deep alarm at the particular toll the conflict has taken on women and children, including conflict-related sexual violence. The United States is committed to coordinating closely with IGAD, the AU, and other partners in facilitating an inclusive Sudanese-owned and led civilian dialogue to address transitional and governance issues and resume Sudan’s democratic transition.

The United States is proud of our steadfast partnership and support for the efforts of IGAD and the African Union’s efforts to resolve the Sudan crisis.