African Union's Peace and Security Council sends mission to Sudan

The African Union Peace and Security Council stressed in a statement its commitment to support Sudan's transitional government, noting that it must represent all strata of Sudanese society, including women and children, with the aim of achieving the restoration of peace and stability, in addition to restoring confidence in the country's transition process.  

The chairman of the African Union council has advised all Sudanese stakeholders to demonstrate and ensure their commitment to dialogue, consensus and peaceful resolution of differences, in order to secure and guarantee Sudan's democratic transition process and make progress in achieving economic recovery. 

 With the recent developments in Sudan, the African Council has recognized the importance and necessity of restoring peace, security, and stability to the country, insisting on the African Union's support for the people of Sudan in their goal of consolidating the country into a democracy. 

Recently, some of the members and political leaders of the previous cabinet, which was dissolved after the coup d'état of Abdel Fatah Al Burhan on October 25, have been released.  

This was welcomed by the African council, which called on the Sudanese authorities present to release the remaining political leaders unconditionally.  

Last Sunday, the chairman of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, praised the political agreement made by the president of the Supreme Council, Abdel Fatah Al Burhan, and the prime minister, Abdullah Hamdok. 

He further urged the international community, the African Union member states, the United Nations, and all other international partners to demonstrate their commitment and solidarity with the country, including financial and humanitarian assistance, to achieve "regular and free elections, the only way to put a definitive end to institutionalism and ensure sustainable development," as well as the financial institutions to resume their economic assistance to achieve development in Sudan, Mahamat added. 

Mahamat considered this as an "important step towards the return to the constitutional order enshrined in the Khartoum agreements of August 19, 2019, which frame the consensual and democratic transition in Sudan." 

"I encourage all political and social partners, military and civilian, to deepen this path in an inclusive and effective manner in a climate of peace and broad national reconciliation in Sudan," Mahamat communicated. 

It also called on the Sudanese authorities to launch an immediate, independent, transparent and effective investigation into the violations and abuses that took place in the aftermath of the military coup d'état.   

The African Union Peace and Security Council also issued a statement noting that it had decided to send a mission to Sudan to engage with the authorities and other stakeholders to consolidate the transitional process and to report on the matter.   

In the same statement, it stressed the great importance of the implementation of the August 2019 constitutional declaration and the Juba Peace Agreement in October last year.    

The African council noted that through these agreements, Sudan would be able to achieve the democratic transition, and called on the parties concerned to fulfill and respect what was agreed upon by the prescribed dates.  

Likewise, it has also pointed out the need to accelerate the process of forming the transitional Legislative Council and other institutions of government, set out in the constitutional declaration of August 2019.  

Last Sunday, General Abdel Fatah Al Burhan and Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok signed an agreement reinstating Abdallah Hamdok as Prime Minister, after Al Burhan was deposed from his post during the military coup he led, which led to several demonstrations that resulted in more than 40 deaths.   

The agreement also included 14 points leading to the completion of the transitional period in Sudan.  

The African Union described this agreement in a statement as an "important step", noting that only free and robust elections can bring the country back from institutional unrest and ensure its progress.