May 1, 2023
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held a phone conversation on Friday with warring Sudan’s rivals, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, over avenues for a ceasefire.
The Ethiopian leader noted in a tweet that the discussion focused on the need to settle differences amicably and bring stability to Sudan.
“I have held phone discussions with both General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo on the need to settle differences amicably and bring stability to Sudan,” Abiy said in a tweet.
“The great people of Sudan deserve peace,” Abiy added.
General Dagalo, the leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), confirmed talks with the Ethiopian premier.
“I held a productive conversation with the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed Ali, during which we addressed various aspects of the ongoing crisis in Sudan and exchanged views on the current crisis,” Dagalo said.
According to the Sudanese general, the Ethiopian leader stressed the importance of finding a solution to the Sudanese conflict.
“Abiy expressed his support for the Sudanese people, and their choices, emphasising Ethiopia’s readiness to provide assistance to help Sudan get through this crisis,” Dagalo added.
This is the first time Abiy has held phone talks with the rival military leaders since the Sudan conflict broke out on April 15.
The phone conversations came as Addis Ababa reportedly sought to mediate the conflict in collaboration with the regional and continental blocs of IGAD and the African Union.
Sudan has been embroiled in a serious conflict due to a power struggle between two powerful generals who lead different military forces.
Despite the truce, gunshots continued to unsettle Khartoum and other parts of the country. Since then, several countries have been racing to evacuate their diplomats and citizens from Khartoum.
Already, more than 500 people have reportedly been killed and over 4,000 have been injured as a result of the continuing fighting between the rival forces.
The Ethiopian Embassy in Sudan also said at least eight Ethiopians have died and four others have been injured.