Sudan PM seeks African Union return during Djibouti visit

January 28, 2026 (DJIBOUTI) – Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris met Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh on Wednesday to discuss maritime cooperation and Sudan’s potential return to the African Union (AU), state media said.

Idris, accompanied by Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Muawiya Osman Khalid and Deputy Intelligence Director Abbas Mohamed Bakhit, said Sudan sought technical collaboration in port management and the activation of bilateral committees, according to Sudan’s state news agency SUNA.

“The government is keen on cooperation with Djibouti, exchanging expertise in the field of ports, and strengthening commercial and economic relations,” SUNA quoted him as saying.

The AU suspended Sudan’s membership following a military coup in October 2021, conditioning its return on the restoration of civilian rule. While the military formed a civilian government led by Idris, the army retains significant influence over executive affairs.

Djibouti currently chairs the AU Commission ahead of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union and the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council, scheduled for Feb. 11-15 in Addis Ababa. Sudan is also seeking to return to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African bloc.

Idris presented a government peace initiative requiring the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to withdraw from urban centres and disarm before any political process, SUNA reported. The plan envisions legal accountability for those accused of violations.

Guelleh reiterated Djibouti’s commitment to Sudan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and expressed willingness to support peace initiatives, but emphasized the need for greater coordination between different mediation processes, the Djiboutian presidency said.

On the sidelines of the talks, Idris met Djiboutian Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed and visited the Doraleh Multi-Purpose Port.