AU Peace and Security Council Concludes a Fruitful Visit to Sudan

The African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council delegation, led by Ambassador Mohamed Gad, Egypt’s ambassador to Ethiopia and permanent representative to the AU, and the Council’s rotating chairperson for October, concluded a one-day visit to Sudan on Thursday. The visit included intensive meetings with Sudanese officials, the last of which was with the Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan. Al-Burhan welcomed the delegation’s visit to Sudan and stated, “We still believe that the African Union’s description of what happened on October 25 as a coup is inaccurate and contradicts the facts.” He emphasised that what Sudan is experiencing represents a form of new colonialism.
According to a statement released by the Transitional Sovereignty Council’s media, Al-Burhan added that the AU’s disregard for the crisis in Sudan stems from a lack of understanding of the real situation. He explained that the country is facing an attempted occupation by a rebel militia with the involvement of foreign mercenaries aided by well-known foreign powers. He pointed out that the terrorist militia has attacked peaceful cities, violated citizens’ rights, looted their property, and committed acts of sexual violence while the world watches without taking action. Al-Burhan reaffirmed his rejection of any foreign control over Sudan through the use of militias in the war against the country. He also criticised specific political forces attempting to return to power by any means before citizens can return to their homes and areas currently occupied by the rebel militia. Ambassador Mohamed Gad, the head of the delegation, stated in a press briefing that this was the African Peace and Security Council’s first visit to Sudan in several years. He noted that Egypt, since assuming the presidency of the Council, was keen on making this visit. He added that the clarifications provided by the Chairman of the Sovereignty Council helped the delegation better understand the dimensions of the Sudanese crisis. He confirmed the Council’s support for Sudan until peace is achieved. Gad also emphasised Egypt’s commitment to safely ensuring Sudan emerges from this crisis.
The discussions also addressed the need to create the necessary conditions for Sudan to restore its AU membership. “Sudan cannot go through such a crisis while its membership in the African Union remains suspended,” he said. Ambassador Mohamed Gad affirmed that the African Peace and Security Council would work toward bringing peace to Sudan, facilitating a ceasefire, and supporting the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Sudanese people.
In a related statement, Sudan’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Al-Zein Ibrahim Hussein, noted that the visit was significant as it was the first in years and marked a positive shift in the AU’s engagement with Sudan after its membership was suspended on October 26, 2021, following the measures to dissolve the partnership with the civilian component.
Ambassador Al-Zein explained that the delegation was provided with detailed explanations by the Chairman of the Sovereignty Council on various military, security, political, and humanitarian issues. The delegation also held important meetings with several state officials, which provided them with a comprehensive understanding of the situation in Sudan. He also pointed out that the delegation included the Commissioner for Peace, Security, and Political Affairs and the AU’s representative in Sudan, Ambassador Mohamed Belaiche. He noted that this visit would serve as a roadmap for re-engaging Sudan with the African Union.