By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, 21 July 2026 - The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has urged regional and international partners to strengthen coordination in efforts to end Sudan's conflict, warning that the war continues to devastate millions of lives and destabilise the wider Horn of Africa.
Speaking during the Third Special Envoys and Representatives Forum on Sudan in Nairobi, IGAD Executive Secretary Dr Workneh Gebeyehu said fragmented peace efforts risk prolonging a conflict that has already triggered the world's largest humanitarian crisis.
Hosted alongside Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, the meeting brought together representatives from the African Union (AU), United Nations (UN), European Union (EU), League of Arab States, the Quartet, the Quintet and other mediation partners to harmonise peace initiatives.
"The ongoing conflict in Sudan continues to have far-reaching consequences for both Sudan and the wider region," Dr Workneh said, stressing the need for a shared strategic assessment, complementarity and a clear division of responsibilities among peace actors.
Participants reaffirmed that any lasting solution must be driven by Sudanese people themselves.
"Sudan's path to peace must remain Sudanese-owned and Sudanese-led, supported by coordinated efforts towards lasting peace and stability," IGAD said.
The renewed push for a coordinated peace process comes as the United Nations' 2025 Sudan Annual Results Report, released this month, paints a grim picture of a country entering its fourth year of war.
According to the UN, Sudan remains the world's largest humanitarian emergency, with only 40 per cent of the funding required for the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan received.
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The report says the conflict has intensified civilian suffering, with rising deaths, widespread displacement, worsening hunger and repeated violations of international humanitarian law.
Millions of children remain out of school, malnutrition has increased, and conflict-related sexual violence continues to be used as a weapon of war. The health system has also been severely disrupted, while drone attacks have increasingly targeted civilian infrastructure.
Despite the deteriorating conditions, the UN said humanitarian agencies and local partners continued delivering aid to hard-to-reach communities and expanding operations across the country where security allowed.
As the war enters another year, the UN has called for humanitarian truces to enable life-saving assistance to reach isolated communities, warning that ending the conflict remains the only lasting solution.
Tuesday's forum in Nairobi also reaffirmed IGAD's commitment to an Africa-led peace process, with member states and international partners pledging closer cooperation to support a coordinated and sustainable path towards peace in Sudan.