Sudan’s Port Sudan authorities have called on the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to support an internally organised political dialogue aimed at addressing the country’s crisis.
IGAD is an eight-country regional organisation in the Horn of Africa and neighbouring areas that works on peace and security, regional cooperation and economic development.
The request was presented during the 74th Extraordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers in Djibouti on Tuesday.
However, IGAD’s publicly available statements from the meeting did not announce a new endorsement of the specific Port Sudan dialogue initiative.
Instead, the regional organisation continued to emphasise dialogue, regional cooperation and a Sudanese-led approach to peace.
Port Sudan seeks regional support
Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Muawiya Osman Khalid presented Sudan’s position during the IGAD meeting.
He called for support for what the Port Sudan authorities describe as a “Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue.”
The initiative is presented by its organisers as a domestic process aimed at addressing Sudan’s political crisis.
IGAD had previously welcomed a Sudanese national initiative for peace during consultations with Prime Minister Kamil Idris in January. More recently, however, the organisation has stressed that a lasting settlement should come through an inclusive and Sudanese-led political process.
IGAD continues wider diplomatic engagement
IGAD has played a regional diplomatic role in efforts to address the Sudan conflict.
It is also part of the Quintet alongside the African Union, United Nations, European Union and League of Arab States.
The group has called for de-escalation and continued diplomatic efforts towards ending the conflict.
In July, IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu said Sudan needed a Sudanese-owned political process supported by coordinated regional and international engagement.
That wider diplomatic effort is continuing alongside political initiatives promoted by the Port Sudan authorities.
TASIS criticises Port Sudan initiative
The Sudan Founding Alliance, known as TASIS, has rejected the Port Sudan dialogue initiative.
TASIS spokesman Ahmed Tugud Lisan argued earlier this month that the process lacked sufficient independence because army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan initiated it and authorities under his leadership determined its committee, agenda and location.
TASIS has instead argued for a political process that is not controlled by one of the parties to the conflict.
That represents the alliance’s position on the proposed dialogue.
Neither TASIS nor the Rapid Support Forces appeared to have issued a new public statement specifically responding to Khalid’s appeal at Tuesday’s IGAD meeting as of Wednesday morning.
Sudan’s return to IGAD
Sudan resumed full participation in IGAD in February 2026 after nearly two years of suspended engagement.
The organisation later reopened its mission in Khartoum in July.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Gebeyehu again welcomed Sudan’s delegation. He said the country’s return in February had restored full participation by the founding member.
The political process nevertheless remains contested.
Port Sudan is seeking wider support for its internally organised dialogue. Meanwhile, IGAD continues to emphasise a Sudanese-led and inclusive political process alongside broader regional and international coordination.