Sudanese civil groups slam African Union for backing government peace plan
December 31, 2025 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese civil society organizations have criticized the African Union Commission for welcoming a peace initiative proposed by the government, calling the move a dangerous shift from regional consensus and a sign of institutional bias.
Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssef, on Tuesday, welcomed the peace initiative presented by the Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris to the United Nations Security Council, describing it as a solid foundation for achieving sustainable peace.
The initiative includes several provisions, such as the withdrawal of the Rapid Support Forces from cities under its control to pre-agreed camps under UN, Arab, and African supervision. It also calls for the commencement of a disarmament process for these forces under international monitoring, alongside guarantees to prevent the redistribution of weaponry.
The Civil Democratic Alliance of Revolutionary Forces (Somoud), led by former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, issued a sharp rebuke on Wednesday against AU Commissioner Mahmoud Ali Youssef. The alliance claimed Youssef’s endorsement aligns with what they described as a pattern of bias within the AU leadership toward the military-led government in Port Sudan.
In a statement, the group argued that the commissioner’s support contradicts AU protocols that prioritize negotiated settlements over military-centric solutions. They accused the AU of disregarding a previous Quad roadmap that called for an unconditional three-month humanitarian truce, charging that the Commission is providing political cover for the ruling authorities at the expense of its own neutrality.
Undermining mediation
The Sudan Constituent Alliance (Tasis), the political wing of the RSF, also condemned the AU’s stance. In a press release, the group stated that Youssef’s remarks undermine his credibility and intentionally sabotage regional and international efforts to broker a comprehensive end to the conflict.
The alliance characterized the AU’s position as a departure from the fundamental principles agreed upon by African nations to resolve internal crises through impartial mediation.
Concerns over military rule
The United Civil Forces Alliance (QUAMUM), which also supports the RSF, joined the criticism, warning that the AU’s backing of the government plan threatens its role as a neutral mediator.
“The Commission is now providing direct support to the authorities in Port Sudan, raising fundamental questions about its integrity,” Osman Abdel Rahman Suleiman, the alliance spokesperson, told Sudan Tribune.
Suleiman said the Commission is responsible for complicating the political landscape by supporting an initiative he claims seeks to entrench military rule and encourages commanders to remain in power.
The various civil groups called on the African Union to return to supporting frameworks that address the root causes of the Sudanese crisis. They warned that perceived favouritism toward any warring party would erode the Sudanese people’s trust in regional institutions.