Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1156th meeting, held at the level of Heads of State and Government, on 27 May 2023, on the Situation in Sudan.

The Peace and Security Council,

  Recalling its previous decisions and pronouncements on the situation in Sudan, in particular, Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.1149 (2023)] adopted at its 1149th meeting held on 16 April 2023; and Press Statement [PSC/PR/BR.1154 (2023)] adopted at its 1154th meeting held on 16 May 2023;

  Noting the opening remarks by H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda and Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU) for the month of May 2023, and the briefing by H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission;

  Also noting the statement read on behalf of H.E. Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of Comoros in his capacity as Chairperson of the African Union,  and the statements by H.E. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the representative of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, as neighbouring countries; further noting the statements by the Executive Secretary of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD); and Secretary General of the League of Arab States (LAS); and the representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations;

 Reaffirming the continued commitment of the AU to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity, national unity and independence of the Republic of Sudan; and reiterating its solidarity with the people of Sudan in their legitimate aspiration for the restoration of constitutional order through a civilian-led government; and

Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council: 

1. With deep concern, strongly condemns the ongoing senseless and unjustified conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has resulted in an unprecedented dire humanitarian situation, indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians, wanton destruction of infrastructure, including facilities of diplomatic missions in gross violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law (IHL/IHRL);

2. Demands the warring parties to immediately ceasefire, without any preconditions; stop mobilization and bringing in of reinforcements; and disengage to agreed positions, in order to end the suffering of the Sudanese people; embrace peaceful resolution of disputes; grant unhindered humanitarian access; and resume the political transition process culminating in the conduct of elections, towards a democratic, civilian-led government; while emphasizing that no sustainable military solution to the conflict is feasible, given that only genuine dialogue and reconciliation would be beneficial to Sudan and the entire Horn of Africa region;

3. To this effect, adopts the African Union Roadmap for the Resolution of the Conflict in Sudan, towards silencing the guns in Sudan; in this regard, calls on Sudanese stakeholders and the international community to support the implementation of the Roadmap;

4. Reaffirms the six (6) elements outlined in the AU Roadmap, namely, i) the establishment of a coordination mechanism to ensure all efforts by the regional and global actors are harmonized and impactful; ii) an immediate, permanent, inclusive and comprehensive cessation of hostilities; iii) effective humanitarian response; iv) protection of civilians and civil infrastructure; v) Strategic role of neighboring states and the region; and vi) resumption of a credible and inclusive political transition process, that takes into account the contributory role of all Sudanese political and social actors, as well as the signatories to the Juba Peace Agreement, towards a democratic civilian-led government;

5. Underscores the overriding importance of a single, inclusive and consolidated peace process for Sudan, coordinated under the joint auspices of the African Union, IGAD, League of Arab States and UN, along with like-minded partners, while noting that a multiplicity and proliferation of mediation initiatives would not serve the interests of the collective will of the Sudanese people;

6. Accordingly welcomes the measures taken so far by the African Union, particularly the establishment of the Expanded Mechanism on Sudan and its Core Group, by the AUC Chairperson, arising from the 20 April 2023 meeting; as an all-inclusive platform of regional, continental and global actors and institutions, to provide broad-based and coordinated engagement within the international community, to foster political consensus and common global support for Sudan; stresses the need for the AU to continue to effectively coordinate the activities of the Expanded Mechanism on the conflict in Sudan;

7. Highly commends the Chairperson of the Commission for using his good offices in finding an amicable solution to the situation in Sudan; and in this regard, requests the Chairperson to coordinate the implementation of the AU Roadmap in close cooperation with the Sudanese Parties; IGAD, League of Arab States, UN and partners, towards the restoration of peace and stability in Sudan;

8. In this context, endorses the initiative of the Chairperson to dispatch emissaries to the neighboring states of Sudan and the Horn of Africa region, in strengthening the search for a common approach to finding a sustainable solution to the multi-layered crisis in Sudan;

9. Welcomes the signing of the Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan and the Agreement on a Short-Term Ceasefire and Humanitarian Arrangements by the SAF and RSF on 11 May 2023 and 20 May 2023, respectively, in Jeddah; Appreciates the efforts deployed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America, in facilitating the peace process in Sudan; and re-affirms the necessity for inclusivity, adequate representation and participation of Sudanese stakeholders, African regional and continental bodies in the negotiations towards a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire and the political transition in Sudan;

10. Urges the parties to the current conflict to ensure the full implementation of the Agreement signed in Jeddah on a Short-Term Ceasefire and Humanitarian Arrangements, in its letter and spirit, in order to facilitate humanitarian access to the population in dire need of assistance;

11. Underlines the need for the immediate restoration of basic public services in all areas affected by the current conflict, including water, health, electricity, telecommunications, banking, and education, and in this respect, appeals to the international financial institutions to urgently lift restrictions imposed on electronic money transfers to Sudan;

12. Specially commends IGAD for its efforts to swiftly resolve the conflict in Sudan immediately after it erupted and expresses unwavering support to the IGAD 3-member High-Level Committee led by H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit; President of the Republic of South Sudan; and comprising H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya; and H.E. Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti, while re-emphasizing the need for IGAD and the AU to strengthen coordination to enable Africa speak with one voice;

13. Appeals to the members of the international community, including the immediate neighbors of Sudan, respectively, to continue to demonstrate solidarity by assisting Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers, among others, by facilitating expeditious and dignified processes, conditions of entry, transit and reception; In this regard, fully acknowledges the invaluable support of neighboring countries of Sudan for receiving refugees from Sudan, in line with the provisions of the 1951 Refugee Convention, and the 1969 Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of the Refugee Problems in Africa (Kampala Convention);

14. Recognizes the work of all humanitarian aid agencies and partners for their initiatives and encourages enhanced humanitarian action and coordination, including to the neighboring countries receiving refugees and persons fleeing from Sudan;

15. Directs the AU Commission to provide regular updates to the Council on the implementation of this Communique?, and to promptly develop and execute the means of implementation for the adopted AU Roadmap for the Resolution of the Conflict in Sudan, and in addition, mobilize all Sudanese Stakeholders, regional, continental and international partners and institutions towards concerted action to save Sudan’s slide into total collapse; and

16. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

COMMENTS