President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa recently hosted Mr. Malik Agar Eyre Nganyoufa, the Deputy President of the Transitional Sovereign Council of Sudan, for a courtesy call on Thursday, July 13, 2023. The meeting primarily focused on the ongoing conflict and violence in Sudan, as well as international efforts to bring an end to the crisis.
This visit follows a telephonic discussion between President Ramaphosa and Mr. Nganyoufa on July 2, 2023, highlighting the significance of the engagement between the two leaders.
During their meeting, Mr. Nganyoufa provided President Ramaphosa with a comprehensive briefing on the current conflict in the Republic of Sudan. South Africa’s president expressed deep concern over the protracted nature of the conflict between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. He called upon the Transitional Sovereign Council, including the Sudan Armed Forces, to urgently pursue a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
President Ramaphosa emphasized that South Africa firmly believes in the potential for achieving lasting peace in Sudan through an inclusive dialogue process. This approach aims to foster reconciliation and stability, ensuring the well-being of the Sudanese people. The President further stressed the importance of upholding the commitments made by all parties to the Juba Peace Agreement (JPA), which was signed on October 3, 2020.
In his discussions with Mr. Nganyoufa, President Ramaphosa reiterated South Africa’s willingness to play an active role in efforts to end the conflict and violence in Sudan. The President expressed his country’s readiness to support these initiatives if requested by the East African Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the African Union, or any other relevant stakeholders.
Both leaders acknowledged the need for continued communication and collaboration regarding the situation in Sudan. They pledged to maintain regular contact to stay informed and actively engage in finding a sustainable solution to the crisis.
South Africa’s involvement in international peace-building efforts reflects the country’s commitment to fostering stability and resolving conflicts within the African continent. President Ramaphosa’s dedication to supporting Sudan in its pursuit of peace underscores the nation’s diplomatic and humanitarian engagement in regional affairs.
As events continue to unfold in Sudan, the international community remains hopeful that concerted efforts and dialogue will pave the way for a peaceful and prosperous future for the Sudanese people. South Africa’s pledge to play a role in these efforts adds a positive dimension to the ongoing global initiatives aimed at ending the conflict and fostering reconciliation in Sudan.
