Sudan’s Agar slams African Union’s initiative, says focus should be on ending war
June 4, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – Malik Agar, the deputy chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, has criticized the African Union’s initiative to solve the Sudanese problem, deeming it irrelevant. He called for a focus on ending the ongoing war in Sudan as a priority at this stage.
During his recent tour of several IGAD countries, including South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, and Djibouti, Agar discussed ways to halt the war in Sudan and activate the IGAD decision to assign the heads of state of South Sudan, Djibouti, and Kenya to engage with the conflict parties in order to cease the fighting.
On June 1, the military-led Sovereign Council stated that Agar also discussed the outcomes of the African summit meeting, the humanitarian situation, and measures to address the issues faced by displaced persons and refugees.
In an interview with BBC Radio Arabic aired on Sunday, Agar emphasized that the current focus should be stopping the war in Sudan and establishing mechanisms and programs to secure a ceasefire and end the conflict in Khartoum’s populated neighbourhoods and Darfur region.
Agar criticized the existence of multiple initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict in Sudan, arguing that there should be a unified initiative that comprehends the complexities and challenges specific to Sudan.
“Sudan is not part of the African Union’s initiative (…). The African Union talks about solving the problem of Sudan at a time when it suspends Sudan’s membership in the organization. Therefore, (Khartoum) cannot even discuss its initiative. This (situation) means as if (the AU) is seeking to impose it on Sudan which is unacceptable,” he stated.
Sudan’s membership in the African Union was suspended after the coup on October 25, 2021.
During his visit to the IGAD countries, Agar discussed their role in resolving the problem and urged the leaders of the East African bloc to establish mechanisms to end the war.
“I don’t want to talk about the problem of Sudan because the problem is war, and it should be stopped with mechanisms and programs. This is what is needed now, and there is an attempt to skip steps,” he stressed.
In the third meeting of the Expanded Mechanism for the Resolution of the Conflict in Sudan on May 31, Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, announced a comprehensive roadmap for an inclusive political process to resolve the conflict in Sudan.
Mahamat stated, “This inclusive dialogue is vital for transitioning Sudan back to civilian rule, rebuilding public services, addressing the urgent needs of the population, and preparing the country for democratic, free, and fair elections.”
Regarding the Saudi-US initiative, Agar highlighted the need for necessary programs and mechanisms to implement the ceasefire. He emphasized the parties’ requirement to establish a monitoring mechanism for the ceasefire and the withdrawal of troops from public institutions and populated areas. Agar stressed their readiness to continue the dialogue.
Three days after suspending the talks, the Saudi-US mediation, on June 4, called on the Sudanese army and the paramilitary group to resume negotiations and implement the points agreed upon in the Jeddah Declaration for the Protection of Civilians, signed on May 11.
(ST)