East African Community Warns of Ripple Effect from Sudan Conflict

(MENAFN) The East African Community (EAC) has expressed deep concern over the ongoing conflict in Sudan, warning that it could have a ripple effect in the region and the African continent. The EAC issued a statement on Tuesday stating that at least 185 people have been reported killed and 1,800 injured since fighting broke out on Saturday between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in the capital city of Khartoum and its surroundings.

The EAC is urging both parties to bring an immediate cessation to hostilities and find an amicable resolution to the conflict through available conflict resolution mechanisms at the regional, continental, and international levels. It expressed solidarity with the people of Sudan in their quest for peace and called on rival groups to exhaust all diplomatic options to find a lasting solution.

The EAC is particularly concerned about the most vulnerable segments of the Sudanese population, including women and children, who are bearing the brunt of the conflict. The bloc warns that the conflict will not only cause insecurity and instability in the country but will also have a ripple effect in the region and the continent as a whole.

The African Union and the regional Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have also called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. However, the situation remains tense, and it is unclear when the fighting will end. The EAC and other organizations are continuing to monitor the situation and urge all parties involved to prioritize the safety and well-being of the Sudanese people.

MENAFN19042023000045014228ID1106042744