Sudan's Rejection of African Peace Bid and Peacekeeping Force Sparks Tensions

Sudan's army-aligned foreign ministry has rejected a regional summit proposal by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to consider deploying peacekeeping forces to protect civilians, accusing Kenya of providing a haven to the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The army described the deployment of foreign forces as "enemy forces" and criticized IGAD for disrespecting its member states. Meanwhile, violence and displacement in Sudan's Darfur region have escalated, with at least 40 civilians killed in ethnically motivated attacks. Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on the International Criminal Court to investigate the violence and noted the RSF's denial of responsibility.