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Burhan Suspends Sudan's Membership in IGAD

Chairman of the Sovereignty Council and commander of the Sudanese Army Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (File photo: Reuters)
Chairman of the Sovereignty Council and commander of the Sudanese Army Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (File photo: Reuters)
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Burhan Suspends Sudan's Membership in IGAD

Chairman of the Sovereignty Council and commander of the Sudanese Army Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (File photo: Reuters)
Chairman of the Sovereignty Council and commander of the Sudanese Army Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (File photo: Reuters)

Head of Sudan's Transitional Sovereignty Council and Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan officially suspended the country's membership in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

He made the announcement following an emergency IGAD summit that renewed the call for a direct meeting between Burhan and head of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti.

According to a statement by the Foreign Ministry, Burhan sent a letter to Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleho, the current chair of the bloc, to inform him of the "Sudanese government's decision to suspend its membership in this organization."

The ministry added that the final communique of the 42nd summit included language that Sudan deemed "disrespectful to its sovereignty and offensive to the families of victims of atrocities committed by rebel militias."

The letter made it clear that the government is not obligated and is not concerned with what is issued by IGAD regarding Sudanese affairs.

On Thursday, the IGAD summit in Uganda said the leaders of Sudan's army and RSF must have a face-to-face meeting within two weeks. It reiterated its call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire" in the conflict between the military and RSF.

It stressed that the member states will use all means and capabilities to ensure a peaceful resolution of the conflict, which erupted in mid-April 2023.

The heads of state and governments directed the IGAD General Secretariat and the African Union (AU) to begin joint consultations with the warring parties and stakeholders to launch a political process within a month that will end with the formation of a democratic government.

The Sovereignty Council believed there was no need for the summit before the implementation of the outcomes of the previous summit in Djibouti on December 28.

Last Tuesday, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry announced the cessation of engagement and freezing of dealings with IGAD regarding the current crisis in Sudan.

On Saturday, the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), led by former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, said it regretted the statements of the Foreign Ministry, considering that it had taken a "hostile turn towards the regional and international environment."

Taqaddum asserted the regional and international consensus to stop the war, stressing that the Sudanese must unite and work to stop the war.

Meanwhile, the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) welcomed the decisions of the Uganda summit and efforts to end the war by facilitating a Sudanese political process that ends with the formation of transitional democratic civil governance institutions.

The FFC regretted the army commander's boycott of the summit, hoping he would respond to the voices calling for a ceasefire.

The coalition reiterated its adherence to its principled position, calling for ending the war, achieving peace, and establishing a sustainable democratic civil transition.

It reaffirmed its position on launching a political process that only excludes the dissolved National Congress Party, its affiliated Islamic Movement, and all its affiliates under various names.

Furthermore, President of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit appealed for an immediate opening of humanitarian corridors for essential services to reach the Sudanese people.

In Kampala, Kiir discussed with Hemedti recent developments in Sudan.

According to a post on his X account, Hemedti presented his vision for halting the conflict as soon as possible, establishing a reborn Sudan founded on the principles of justice and equality, and forming a unified professional national army led by a civilian democratic government, which will propel the country forward and end the longstanding cycle of wars.

IGAD had invited Hemedti to the emergency summit in Kampala, where he hoped efforts would achieve peace and stability in Sudan.

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Arab World

Sudan: More Than 200,000 People Displaced Since Eruption of Blue Nile Fighting

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih meets Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia's Ura camp. AFP
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih meets Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia's Ura camp. AFP
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Sudan: More Than 200,000 People Displaced Since Eruption of Blue Nile Fighting

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih meets Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia's Ura camp. AFP
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih meets Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia's Ura camp. AFP

A Sudanese government official has confirmed that more than 200,000 people have been displaced from the cities of Kurmuk and Qeisan, as well as other areas in the Blue Nile state in southeastern Sudan, as a result of fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Warnings have been issued about the worsening humanitarian and health conditions facing the displaced, amid heavy rainfall, shortages of food and shelter materials, and difficulties in delivering aid.

Last week, forces belonging to the Tasis (Foundation) alliance, led by the RSF, announced that they had taken control of the strategic cities of Kurmuk and Qeisan, located near the Ethiopian border.

This development triggered a large wave of displacement toward safer areas, particularly the cities of Damazin, the regional capital, and Roseires, the state's largest city.

Hashim Orta, Commissioner of Voluntary Return and Displaced Persons in the Blue Nile region, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the number of people displaced from Kurmuk, Qeisan, and other towns had exceeded 200,000 since the outbreak of hostilities.

He stressed that they are living under “extremely difficult humanitarian conditions.”

The Commission of Voluntary Return and Displaced Persons in the Blue Nile is a local government body responsible for monitoring the conditions of displaced persons and refugees, coordinating their return, and supporting their reintegration.

The origins of Sudan’s voluntary return mechanism date back to 2003, when a displacement and voluntary return unit was established under the Humanitarian Aid Commission.

Orta added that pregnant women and elderly men and women died while attempting to flee the fighting, enduring arduous displacement journeys that lasted several days. Many were forced to walk long distances through heavy rain and over difficult terrain.

According to Orta, displacement camps and reception centers around Damazin have received tens of thousands of civilians in recent days, most of them women and children. Their needs for food, drinking water, healthcare, and shelter materials continue to grow.

The total figure provided by the local official could not be independently verified.

The Commission of Voluntary Return and Displaced Persons is not affiliated with the United Nations, but it works in cooperation with UN agencies and international organizations, including the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), on issues related to displacement, return, and humanitarian assistance.

Fears of Disease Outbreaks

The local government official warned of increasing health risks within displacement sites, particularly during the rainy season. He expressed concern about the potential spread of malaria, dengue fever, and other seasonal diseases, amid overcrowded shelters and weak healthcare services.

He said local authorities were making efforts to provide food, water, and shelter materials, but the available resources were far from sufficient to meet the scale of needs and the growing numbers of people arriving each day.

“The need is immense compared to the numbers flowing into the camps,” he said, calling on local, regional, and international organizations to intervene urgently and provide humanitarian assistance to those affected.

The continuing fighting has further complicated the humanitarian response, as insecurity in several areas is preventing aid organizations and supplies from reaching residents and displaced people. At the same time, local authorities are facing mounting pressure to provide basic necessities for the large numbers of people fleeing the violence.

Displacement Journey Amid Heavy Rains

Eyewitnesses described harsh conditions faced by civilians traveling from conflict areas toward Damazin and Roseires. They said heavy rainfall had severely damaged dirt roads and made them difficult to cross, forcing some families to walk long distances under extremely challenging conditions.

The crisis is compounded by the geography of the Blue Nile region, where seasonal rains cause rivers and streams to swell and cut off a number of roads, making civilian movement and the delivery of humanitarian aid even more difficult.

Arab World

Berri Puts War’s End in Washington’s Hands, Links Army Deployment to Israeli Withdrawal

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri receives a delegation from the American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL) (Parliament Speaker’s Office)
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri receives a delegation from the American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL) (Parliament Speaker’s Office)
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Berri Puts War’s End in Washington’s Hands, Links Army Deployment to Israeli Withdrawal

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri receives a delegation from the American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL) (Parliament Speaker’s Office)
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri receives a delegation from the American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL) (Parliament Speaker’s Office)

Lebanese efforts are continuing on several fronts to advance negotiations and implement the “Framework Agreement,” as Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri tied the immediate deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani River to an end to Israel’s war, a ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal to the international border.

Berri said only the United States and President Donald Trump could compel Israel to take those steps.

His remarks come as Israeli escalation continues in southern Lebanon, while uncertainty persists over the eighth round of Lebanese-Israeli negotiations, with no official date set.

Berri: The Army should be the sole security force

Berri made the comments during a meeting with a delegation from the American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL), headed by Ambassador Edward Gabriel.

The talks covered political and field developments, Israel’s continued military operations and destruction of southern villages, as well as direct negotiations and the “Framework Agreement,” according to a statement from the parliament speaker’s office.

Berri said what was happening in the south was “unbearable,” citing the destruction of villages, attacks on civilians and violations of international and humanitarian laws and norms.

He said some of the destruction and attacks had surpassed “the crimes and massacres against people, buildings and heritage that have occurred and continue to occur in Gaza.”

Berri said the United States was the only country capable of ending the situation.

“The United States is the only country, and its president, Donald Trump, is the only president capable of compelling Israel to end its war, cease fire and withdraw to the international border in the south,” he said.

Berri, whom Hezbollah had previously tasked with negotiating on its behalf, linked those steps to Lebanon assuming security responsibility in the south.

“At that point, I guarantee the immediate deployment of the Lebanese army in the area south of the Litani,” he said.

He said the army should be the sole force responsible for security and the only armed force in the area.

Berri also said the area south of the Litani belonged to its residents, adding that southerners were eager to see the army protect their security and stability.

Ali al-Taher and US pressure

Gabriel described the meeting as “very good,” saying talks covered reform, Lebanon’s security situation and developments in the south, particularly the direct negotiations and the Framework Agreement.

He said the delegation saw strong interest from Berri in making progress on the “pilot zones” and a personal commitment to their success.

On the Ali al-Taher hill, Gabriel said Israel needed to make clear whether it accepted Lebanese army control of the position.

He said people in the south did not want war and wanted to return home, adding that he would convey Berri’s views to US policymakers.

Asked about US pressure on Israel, Gabriel said Trump was working very hard to push the Israelis to stop the death and destruction.

He said Trump had told the Israelis, “Enough, enough”, adding that he expected Washington to keep pressing Israel to end the war.

Eighth round: Tentative timing, low expectations

The timing of the eighth round of Lebanese-Israeli negotiations remains unclear.

Ministerial sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that a date under discussion for early September “remains tentative” and that official invitations have not yet been sent. They said invitations could be issued in the coming days.

The sources said Lebanon would attend any negotiating meeting but voiced limited optimism about the next round, given the current political and military conditions and Israel’s escalating positions.

“There are no high expectations for the outcome of the negotiations, especially before the next Israeli elections in October,” the sources said.

Still, they said Lebanon hoped the talks would produce positive results.

They said Israel’s positions were “clear and concerning to Lebanon” and that Washington needed “to exert pressure to deter Israel.”

Lebanon’s diplomatic outreach has taken on added importance in that context, including President Joseph Aoun’s visit to Rome.

Ministerial sources said the visit has two main objectives.

The first is to meet Pope Leo XIV and brief him on the latest developments surrounding the Framework Agreement, particularly the role he could play in supporting the political track.

The second is to meet with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to discuss what will follow the end of UNIFIL’s mandate if the international force cannot be extended.

The sources said the issue is linked to an earlier French-Italian initiative proposing that international forces could take on security responsibilities in the south if UNIFIL’s mandate is not renewed at the end of this year.

Arab World

Ghalibaf Discusses Iranian Plan in Baghdad to ‘Hide’ Faction Weapons

This handout photograph taken and released by the Iraqi Prime Minister's Media Office on August 19, 2026 shows Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (L) and Iraq's Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi during their meeting in Baghdad. (Photo by Iraq's Prime Minister Media Office / AFP)
This handout photograph taken and released by the Iraqi Prime Minister's Media Office on August 19, 2026 shows Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (L) and Iraq's Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi during their meeting in Baghdad. (Photo by Iraq's Prime Minister Media Office / AFP)
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Ghalibaf Discusses Iranian Plan in Baghdad to ‘Hide’ Faction Weapons

This handout photograph taken and released by the Iraqi Prime Minister's Media Office on August 19, 2026 shows Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (L) and Iraq's Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi during their meeting in Baghdad. (Photo by Iraq's Prime Minister Media Office / AFP)
This handout photograph taken and released by the Iraqi Prime Minister's Media Office on August 19, 2026 shows Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (L) and Iraq's Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi during their meeting in Baghdad. (Photo by Iraq's Prime Minister Media Office / AFP)

Iran is pushing proposals to avert a confrontation between Iraq’s government and Tehran-aligned armed factions over their weapons, with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf taking the effort to Baghdad ahead of a Sept. 30 disarmament deadline.

Iraqi sources said Ghalibaf’s visit to Baghdad on Wednesday goes well beyond its stated parliamentary purpose, with talks focused on political and security issues — chiefly the fate of armed factions’ weapons as the deadline to bring all arms under state control approaches.

The sources said Ghalibaf was carrying Iranian proposals aimed at averting a direct confrontation between the Iraqi government and Tehran-aligned factions.

The ideas include “freezing” or concealing heavy weapons and possibly transferring a large portion of them temporarily to Iran until a political settlement is reached over the future of the factions’ arsenals.

The details of the proposals could not be independently verified, and neither Tehran nor the Iraqi government has announced them publicly.

An Iraqi government source, who asked not to be identified, said the government was “determined to respect its deadlines” and bring weapons under state control by the end of September, coinciding with the completion of the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq under a timetable agreed by Baghdad and Washington.

The Iraqi government has said Sept. 30 marks the end of the timeline for implementing its weapons-control plan.

The government source said the position was reaffirmed during meetings held by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi after his return from Washington, and at the latest meeting of the State Administration Coalition, which backed efforts to bring weapons under state control.

The coalition had previously voiced support for the plan, while the government has taken practical steps including forming a committee to oversee disengagement and integration, creating a weapons database and closing fictitious offices linked to the Popular Mobilization Forces.

Pressure builds with armed factions

Ghalibaf’s visit comes as tensions rise between the government and some armed factions, particularly Kataib Hezbollah, which has rejected handing over what it calls “resistance weapons.”

The government source said the authorities would not be drawn into “wars of words” or “ill-considered confrontations” and would press ahead with enforcing the constitution and the law.

He said the increasingly sharp tone of some faction statements, along with videos and remarks seen as inciting or threatening the prime minister, showed the pressure building around the weapons-control plan.

Statements by Kataib Hezbollah have stirred debate within political circles and among the factions themselves, particularly over the language used against al-Zaidi.

Media outlets and social media platforms have also carried statements and videos containing direct threats or warnings to the prime minister, including the phrase “don’t play with the big boys,” attributed to a local official in Babil province, according to the sources.

The government source said al-Zaidi’s refusal to respond in kind, coupled with his insistence on sticking to the timetable, had put Shiite forces within the Coordination Framework in a difficult position.

They now face, he said, regional and international support for the prime minister on one side and political pressure and corruption cases involving some figures linked to them on the other.

The source said some leaders affected by those cases had left the country, while others had disappeared from public view, prompting factions within the Coordination Framework to look for a settlement that could prevent an inter-Shiite confrontation.

“Freeze,” hide or move the weapons

A well-informed political source told Asharq Al-Awsat that one option under discussion was to extend the deadline implicitly without making a formal announcement.

Under that approach, the prime minister would be persuaded that progress had been made in bringing weapons under state control, while the continued possession of arms by two or more factions whose leaders had their own “convictions and conditions” could be handled through dialogue rather than armed confrontation.

The source said those backing the proposal feared a clash between the government and Shiite factions. But al-Zaidi, he added, remained committed to enforcing the law and was relying on judicial support for the weapons-control effort.

According to the source, the prime minister believes any retreat from the deadline or from the substance of the plan would leave him a prime minister “stripped of authority.”

He believes some faction statements have sought to reinforce that image by questioning his political legitimacy, describing him as still merely “designated” to form a government and criticizing his young age.

The government says the plan is rooted in its ministerial program, which calls for bringing weapons under state control, enforcing the rule of law, unifying security decision-making and placing military resources and capabilities within the official state system.

The political source said one version of the proposal Ghalibaf is believed to be discussing with the factions, al-Zaidi and some Coordination Framework leaders would “freeze” or “conceal” the factions’ heavy weapons.

It would also raise the possibility of moving a large portion of those weapons to Iran as a “deposit” until talks are completed.

The source said the idea was designed to offer a face-saving way out for factions that regard the weapons as “Shiite weapons” that cannot be negotiated away, while allowing them to avoid a complete break with the prime minister and the Shiite forces backing him, as well as Sunni and Kurdish forces that support bringing weapons under state control.

Why Ghalibaf matters

Ghalibaf’s visit carries added weight because of his position within Iran’s political establishment and is not confined to parliamentary ties.

He arrived in Baghdad at the head of a parliamentary delegation but has since held meetings and conducted activities with a wider political and security dimension.

The way he was received at Baghdad airport also carried political significance, according to the sources.

Adnan Fayhan, first deputy speaker of parliament and a senior figure in the Asaib Ahl al-Haq movement, received Ghalibaf instead of Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi.

In his remarks in Baghdad, Ghalibaf openly acknowledged the political and regional dimension of the visit.

He said the “resistance” in Iraq had become a fundamental element of the country’s strength and that ties between Baghdad and Tehran were moving toward consolidating a “new regional order” free from foreign interference.

Ghalibaf said the visit aimed to strengthen cooperation among countries in the region and to build new security and regional arrangements.

His remarks align with a broader Iranian view of the role armed factions play in regional security calculations.

Tehran’s recent moves suggest the factions’ weapons have become part of a wider discussion between Iran and Iraqi political forces, rather than simply an internal dispute over enforcing a government decision.

Ghalibaf’s visit was preceded by an unannounced trip to Baghdad by Esmail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, whose meetings covered the factions’ weapons and regional developments, according to Iraqi sources.