African Union delegation in Sudan pushes for peace roadmap
October 3, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – An African Union (AU) delegation arrived in Port Sudan on Thursday, its first visit since 2015, to present a roadmap for ending Sudan’s ongoing conflict and express solidarity with the Sudanese people. The delegation, comprising representatives from fifteen AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) member states, met with government officials, including Darfur Regional Governor Minni Minawi, to discuss the AU’s proposal.
Minawi said the delegation, led by Egyptian Ambassador Mohamed Omar Gad, conveyed the AU Commission’s desire for a ceasefire and a resolution based on their roadmap. He emphasized that any solution must be Sudanese-led, with regional and international actors providing support without interference.
“We explained the prospects and ways to resolve this war ignited by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in cooperation with some countries and political activists,” Minawi said, speaking on behalf of the Sudanese government and the Darfur region.
He also revealed that Sudan has requested the reinstatement of its AU membership, suspended after the 2021 coup. Minawi said the delegation acknowledged the importance of Sudan’s full participation in the AU and the necessity of an inclusive national dialogue.
The AU roadmap, first proposed in May 2023, calls for a cessation of hostilities, humanitarian aid access, civilian protection, and an inclusive political process. It also includes a high-level mechanism for stabilizing Sudan and a presidential committee led by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to support peace efforts.
In March, Sovereign Council head and army commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said Sudan would accept AU solutions only if its membership was reinstated. During their visit, the PSC delegation met with al-Burhan and reiterated the AU’s commitment to ending the conflict and supporting a successful transition.
Minawi condemned external interference in the conflict, particularly military support provided to the RSF. He also highlighted the humanitarian crisis caused by the RSF siege of Al-Fasher, North Darfur’s capital, which has led to roadblocks and the looting of aid convoys.
The delegation also received a report detailing alleged RSF crimes from Attorney General Mohamed al-Fatih Tayfour, who heads the National Commission of Inquiry into Crimes and Violations of National and International Humanitarian Law.
Tayfour criticized a recent UN Human Rights Council report that recommended deploying a civilian protection force in Sudan after finding both the army and RSF responsible for war crimes. He accused the UN committee of exceeding its mandate and using flawed methodology.
Beyond Port Sudan, broader African Union engagement
The PSC delegation’s visit to Sudan was part of a broader mission that included stops in Cairo, Egypt. There, they met with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Abou El Gheit and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to discuss regional peace and security issues and enhance cooperation between the AU and the Arab League.
The PSC also held its 1234th meeting in Cairo, focusing on the link between peace, security, and development in Africa. They expressed concern over the rise in violent conflicts across the continent and emphasized the importance of post-conflict reconstruction and development efforts.
The delegation’s engagements in both Egypt and Sudan highlight the AU’s commitment to resolving the Sudanese conflict through diplomacy and collaboration with regional partners. The upcoming meeting of the PSC Presidential Ad hoc Committee on Sudan, scheduled for October 2024 in Entebbe, Uganda, will be a crucial next step in these efforts.