Sudan Suspends IGAD Membership Amid Ongoing Conflict

IGAD calls for face-to-face meeting between Sudanese army and rival paramilitary group within two weeks.

Sudan has suspended its membership in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional bloc, following an attempt by IGAD to mediate the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
The Sudanese government criticized IGAD for inviting the chief of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a rival paramilitary group, to a summit.
IGAD has given the Sudanese army and the RSF two weeks to meet face-to-face to de-escalate the situation.
The conflict in Sudan, which began in April, has resulted in the displacement of over seven million people and the death of more than 13,000.
IGAD also expressed concern over tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia, urging both sides to avoid actions that could create opportunities for the terrorist group al-Shabab to expand its reach.