The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has called upon the international communities to lift sanctions on Sudan and South Sudan to enable the countries overcome their financial challenges.

The call came after the 13th Ordinary Summit of the IGAD Heads of State and Government, which was held on 29 November in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

"The Summit called upon the international community to lift the crippling economic sanctions imposed on Sudan and South Sudan to enable them rebuild their economies," a statement from IGAD read.

Sudan and South Sudan are reeling from effects of the sanctions imposed on them by some of the world's biggest economies.

Sudan's sanctions have been in place since the reign of ousted president Omar al-Bashir, while South Sudan's sanctions were prompted by continued fighting in the country.

The IGAD Summit was attended by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh, South Sudan President Salva Kiir, Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi, Sudan Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, Kenya's Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Monica Juma and African Union Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat.

The Addis Ababa Summit ushered in Sudan as the new chair of the bloc, taking over from Ethiopia.

Source: IGAD