Sudan seeks lift of African Union’s membership suspension
February 5, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan has engaged in efforts with the African Union to end the suspension of its membership following the coup d’état that overthrew a civilian-led transitional government in October 2021.
For the second time since the collapse of the al-Bashir regime, the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (PSC) has suspended Sudan’s participation in activities until the effective restoration of civilian authority, after a coup d’etat by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on October 25, 2021.
Despite the continuation of the military rule, in November last year, the military-led Sovereign Council dispatched one of its members Ibrahim Jabir to tour the countries members of the PSC to plead the removal of sanctions on Sudan.
For his part, Defalla Elhaj Ali Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sudan nowadays is in Addis Ababa where he holds meetings with the PSC diplomats over the lift of its suspension of Sudan’s membership.
In a statement released on Sunday, the foreign ministry in Khartoum said Ali briefed the African diplomats on the ongoing political process and the efforts to form a civilian government.
He also said that the imposition of sanctions and coercive measures is inconsistent with the spirit of the principle of African unity and solidarity between the members of the regional body.
“The decision to suspend Sudan’s activity was issued before sending a fact-finding delegation to speak with the Sudanese authorities following the statement of October 25, 2021,” further said the statement.
Until Sunday, of the PSC’s 15 members, Ali met with ambassadors of Burundi, Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia, Namibia and Zimbabwe according to the foreign ministry.
Normally, the restoration of membership does not require such a move as it is supposed to be enacted systematically after the end of military rule.
Sudanese military leaders have recently shown some reluctance to hand power back to the civilian forces that co-signed the framework agreement with them.
(ST)