April 25, 2025
A high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Ambassador Redwan Hussien, Director General of the National Intelligence and Security Service, and including State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Hadera Abera and other senior officials, participated in the London Sudan Conference held on Tuesday (April 15).
The conference was held with the objectives of deliberating on humanitarian aid, working on ways of achieving a ceasefire, and providing the necessary support to help address the conflict through political means. Co-hosted by the UK, the EU, France, Germany, and the African Union, the conference has brought together representatives from 14 countries and global organizations, including the UN.
This participation reflects Ethiopia’s determination to actively take part in genuine efforts aimed at addressing the conflict in Sudan. Ethiopia will continue actively helping any such efforts in the future as well. In the conference, Ethiopia expressed its position that it is only a Sudanese-owned process that will lead to a comprehensive and sustainable peace in the Sudan. Appreciating the efforts partners are making to help the Sudanese overcome the situation, Ethiopia vouched for the role regional organizations could play in addressing the conflict. In line with the principle of subsidiarity, IGAD has been making efforts in this regard, and a call was made to intensify such engagements.
It is to be recalled that Ethiopia, understanding the gravity of the humanitarian situation in Sudan, hosted a pledging conference in Addis Ababa and pledged 15 million USD from its meager resources. Similarly, Ethiopia showed its strong support for the appeal for humanitarian aid and its readiness to continue improving the conditions of hosting Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia. Ethiopia further urges the international community to increase support for Sudan and neighboring countries hosting refugees, highlighting the significance of close consultation with Sudanese parties to ensure effective aid distribution. It also calls for continued resource mobilization to address the humanitarian crisis.
However, it was not lost on the participants that the humanitarian situation could be addressed permanently only through achieving a permanent ceasefire. Ethiopia underscored the need to engage the parties and urge conflicting parties to agree to a permanent ceasefire. Countries that have endeavored to support peace in Sudan, the continental and regional organizations, and partners have also expressed their readiness to call for a Sudanese-owned peace process. Participants called for dialogue and constructive engagement with the parties to advance the noble cause of the protection of civilians and peaceful settlement of the conflict.
As is the case elsewhere, the conflict in Sudan has also attracted opportunist elements who exploit the situation to their advantage. As a country that shares a long border with Sudan, Ethiopia continues to work closely with actors that seek to bring peace to Sudan. The war is having serious repercussions not only on the people of Sudan but also on the neighboring states as well. Considering that silencing the guns in Sudan is in the interests of the region, neighboring states should intensify their engagement in this regard.
Ethiopia has maintained contact with the two sides in Sudan and is ready to engage with the parties. Moreover, Ethiopia looks forward to working with the Sudanese parties, the AU, IGAD, Sudan’s neighbors, friends of Sudan, and partners to bring the war to an end.