Overview

• Sudan has suspended its relationship with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an east African regional bloc mediating between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
• The suspension comes in response to IGAD's invitation to RSF leader, Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, to an upcoming summit, which the Sudanese government views as a violation of its sovereignty.
• The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the RSF has resulted in at least 12,000 deaths and displaced over 7 million people.
• Despite mediation efforts by IGAD, the United States, and Saudi Arabia, the two military leaders have yet to meet in person since the war broke out.
• Dagalo recently completed a tour of Africa, meeting with government officials in several countries, while the RSF has been making advances across Sudan.