Sudan protests African Union meeting with RSF adviser,
September 4, 2023 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly criticized a recent meeting between an adviser to the commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki. The ministry contends that this meeting violates the African Union’s regulations and norms.
On September 3, Youssif Izzat held a meeting with Faki, accompanied by the Director of the Cabinet of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mohamed El Hassan Ould Lebatt. The discussion centred on the ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict in Sudan.
The African Union plans to facilitate a political process involving all Sudanese parties. However, this approach has faced criticism from the Forces for Freedom and Change, who argue that the regional body is attempting to impose the banned party of ousted President Omer al-Bashir.
In a statement on Monday, The Sudanese Foreign Ministry denounced the meeting with Izzat, stating that it sets a dangerous precedent within the African Union and represents a clear breach of the organization’s rules and conventions. It further emphasized that the African Union consists of sovereign states and does not have a place for “rebel movements and criminal terrorist militias”.
The ministry expressed concern that such a meeting would “grant unwarranted legitimacy to the rebel movement”, pointing out that there are numerous armed movements in Africa. In addition, It considered this behaviour as a direct threat to the sovereignty, security, and stability of member states on the continent.
Earlier, on May 24, the Sudanese government had informed the African Union Commission that the RSF commander and his representative lost their constitutional positions after rebelling against the state. The Sudanese government had requested that the African Union not engage with them.
The Foreign Ministry has instructed the Sudanese ambassador in Addis Ababa to meet with the Chairman of the African Union Commission to protest this action and seek clarification on its motives and justifications, which it finds incomprehensible and unjustified.
Sudan had previously criticized the African Union and rejected its initiative to convene an intra-Sudanese conference, noting that the Union suspended Sudan’s membership following the October 2021 coup. Therefore, Sudan contends that the African Union lacks the authority to propose initiatives until this suspension is lifted.
(ST)