Djibouti(Mogadishu24)-The President of the Sovereign Transitional Council of Sudan, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, met with Djiboutian President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh on Sunday to strengthen bilateral cooperation and address the situation in Sudan.

The two leaders emphasized the need for a Sudanese-led solution to the current crisis in that country, calling for regional and international assistance to help the Sudanese people overcome their difficulties.

President Guelleh reaffirmed his support for efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Sudan, whether through bilateral means or mediation by IGAD.

“I received the President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of Sudan, HE Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and discussed the way to end the conflict in Sudan and facilitate humanitarian response to the affected population,” President Guelleh said.

He added, “Through our efforts as a government and as IGAD Chair, we are working to mediate between the two leaders to call for an immediate ceasefire and end the conflict to avoid further escalation of the disaster.”

Sudanese Transitional President, Al-Burhan, expressed appreciation to Djibouti and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for their tireless efforts to find peace in Sudan.

“I thank the Republic of Djibouti, which has had longstanding relations with Sudan, for its vital role in peace-building efforts in Sudan and mediation of our warring parties. IGAD, of which Djibouti is holding the presidency, has also contributed to the de-escalation of the conflict, and as leaders of Sudan, we are committed to sacrificing our differences and ending the conflict,” said the president of the Transitional Sovereignty of Sudan, Al-Burhan.

Earlier this month, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the African Union convened a meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, aimed at discussing the ongoing conflict and mediating between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Both parties welcomed regional and international initiatives in this direction, calling for their coordination to enhance effectiveness.

Sudan has been gripped by violent conflicts that erupted on April 15, 2023, starting from a disagreement and armed clashes between the Sudanese Army and the Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the conflicts have affected 24.7 million people, including the killing of over 5,000 civilians, internal displacement of 5.1 million people, and 1.2 million cross-border displacements.