At the inaugural African Peace & Security Dialogue, held from October 4 to 6, 2024, in Johannesburg, former South African President Thabo Mbeki underscored the critical need for sustained efforts in Sudan’s peace process.

Organized by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, the event brought together leaders and stakeholders to tackle pressing issues across the continent, with Sudan emerging as a central topic.

Mbeki hailed the participation of key civilian leaders from Sudan, terming their presence a major step toward overcoming their country's ultimate problems.

"I'm very glad the leaders of the civilian movement in Sudan came," said Mbeki, who explained that their voices are paramount as Sudan charts the way forward. Admittedly, he said, most of those present had heard directly from them for the first time what they had in mind for the governance of Sudan.

He referred to the fact that Sudan's sovereign authority was present in the meeting, through Malik Agar, Deputy Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of Sudan. "We will continue to engage them as we must continue to engage on the Sudan matter," Mbeki said, further securing the foundation's promise for continued talks.

The war that erupted last April between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has triggered political instability, a severe humanitarian emergency and widespread human rights violations.

Over 15,500 fatalities have been reported in some 1,400 violent incidents targeting civilians and there are now almost 9.5 million forcibly displaced in Sudan – 7.3 million internally (IDPs) and 1.9 million in neighbouring countries.

Mbeki giving his remarks to bring the event to a close impressed upon participants the need for urgency in translating the outcomes of the dialogue into action, especially over Sudan's complex political transition. He called on participants to take responsibility for the recommendations during the event and to ensure follow-through is made before the next gathering.

Mbeki concluded with an assurance that his foundation would actively support the implementation of the recommendations of the event to ensure Sudan remains relevant in the broader peace and security efforts of the continent. Indeed, his rallying cry, "Aluta continue," was to express his beliefs that the path to peace in Sudan, though arduous, was within reach.

Themed 'Towards a peaceful and secure Africa: challenges and opportunities', the inaugural African Peace & Security Dialogue, organized by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, brought together African political and economic leaders, scholars, and policymakers to discuss current peace and security challenges, share experiences and best practices, and advance workable solutions. It intends to deepen this understanding and provide impetus to the effective debate of African-led solutions to these peace and security challenges.

Dignitaries present at the three-day event included Juvenal Marizamunda, Minister of Defence, Rwanda; Hon. Geraldine Janet George, Minister of Defence, Liberia; General Saidou DIA, Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence, Pensioners' Affairs and Children of the Martyrs, Islamic Republic of Mauritania; Dr Philani Mthembu, Executive Director at the Institute for Global Dialogue; Abdisaid Muse Ali, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somalia; Pauline Bax, Africa Program Deputy Director, Crisis Group.

The rest were Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, South Africa; Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of The United Republic of Tanzania; Bantu Holomisa, Deputy Minister of Defence, South Africa; Ramtane Lamamra, Personal Envoy of UNSG for Sudan; among other prominent personalities.

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