Foreign Minister Urges End to Sudan’s AU Suspension
Sudanhorizon – Agencies
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mohi El-Din Salim called on the African Union to lift the suspension of Sudan’s membership in the continental bloc, pointing out that external interference is fueling the war in the country.
The Foreign Minister addressed an official meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council on Thursday morning at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa.
Salim urged the Council to support Sudan’s initiative to end the war, which he said was imposed on the state following the rebellion of the Rapid Support Forces militia.
At the same time, he referred to regional agendas and external interventions in the conflict, including support to the “militia” with advanced weapons, drones, and the recruitment of mercenaries, describing this as a threat to regional peace and security.
He also noted attacks on infrastructure and civilians, calling them a dangerous escalation. He cited the targeting of World Food Programme relief trucks and a civilian vehicle in Kordofan, urging the Council to take a firm stance against such violations.
The Foreign Minister affirmed his government’s openness to all initiatives aimed at ending the war in the country, including the May 2023 Jeddah Declaration.
Egypt holds the presidency of the African Union Peace and Security Council for this month.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aaty told journalists after the session that Cairo is strongly pushing to end the suspension of Sudan’s membership within the African Union.
He described the suspension as unacceptable, arguing that a country like Sudan, which helped found the Organization of African Unity and later the African Union, should not be deprived of exercising its role within the institution. He added: “We must act with wisdom and pragmatism and engage with the Sudanese government led by the Sovereignty Council and the government of Kamil Idris.”
Abdel Aaty explained that Egypt, through its presidency of the Peace and Security Council, is exerting significant efforts to build the necessary consensus within the Council to lift the suspension.
He revealed that Egypt, in its capacity as Council president, invited the Sudanese Foreign Minister to participate in the first informal session to present the Sudanese government’s perspective and the latest developments.
He also disclosed ongoing arrangements for a delegation from the African Union Peace and Security Council to visit Sudan, aimed at consolidating the legitimacy of the Sudanese government and the Transitional Sovereignty Council.
Regarding the steps underway to lift Sudan’s suspension, the Egyptian minister acknowledged the absence of full consensus within the Peace and Security Council, noting that specific proposals and ideas are being studied seriously but have not yet received complete agreement.
Abdel Aaty reiterated that Egypt’s position is firmly supportive of Sudan and its institutions. He emphasized that any humanitarian truce leading to a sustainable ceasefire must include the establishment of safe havens to protect innocent civilians, especially following acts of killing, burning, and rape reported in El Fasher at the hands of the Rapid Support Forces militia.
He added that establishing safe corridors is crucial and closely linked to any humanitarian truce, and stressed the need for an inclusive political process without external interference, stating: “There is no room for mercenaries or institutions outside the national state.”
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