![Brig. Gen. (Dr.) PSC Osman Mohamed Abbas Osman, Joint Chief of Staff of East African Standby Force (EASF). [Photo courtesy]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/202617325_1544931965850675_6985371302567589288_n.jpg?resize=865%2C436&ssl=1)
Dr. Abbas said that the EASF has been requested by the regional bloc IGAD to meet and start planning for deployment of troops to Sudan to protect civilians, but then said that final decision will not happen without prior consent of the Sudanese military rulers led by Al-Burhan.
“Indeed, directives have been issued to our forces to begin the planning process for an expected deployment in Sudan, and this is a routine procedure that occurs when any crisis occurs in any of the ten ISAF countries,” he said.
“But the final decision regarding the deployment of forces is not made without the consent of Sudan,” he added.
The IGAD quartet countries mediation on Sudan conflict yesterday met in Addis Ababa under the chairmanship of Kenya and resolved to call for a meeting to consider deployment of EASF to Sudan to protect civilians.
The quartet countries are Ethiopia, South Sudan, Djibouti, and Kenya.
The meeting was attended by Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed and Kenyan President William Ruto who has been accused by Sudan of supporting the rebellious Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Presidents of Djibouti Ismail Omar was represented by a senior government official while South Sudan failed to show up at the meeting.
The meeting also called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the start of a political dialogue.
The ongoing violence in Sudan which began in mid-April has displaced more than 2 million people and led to the deaths of thousands of others.
The United Nations has warned that the country is on the brink of a humanitarian disaster and civil war.
