Is the AU Waiting for the Demise of Sudan?

By: Osman Sidig

The current Sudanese crisis has exposed the leaders and institutions of the African Union (AU) for ignoring the plight of the defenceless Sudanese people who suffer from killings, looting, and displacement by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. This neglect became evident when those fleeing sought refuge in Ethiopia, the host country of the AU headquarters.

However, they found nothing to sustain them, leading to a hunger strike and resorting to eating tree leaves. This situation occurred despite being in the host country of the AU—a scenario where Addis Ababa showed no shame in ignoring the refugees’ suffering, disregarding neighbourly duties and the prestige of hosting the AU, as well as the principle of reciprocity.
Sudan hosted Ethiopian and Eritrean refugees for decades in several camps in eastern Sudan—Halfa, Khashm al-Girba, Shuwak, Gedaref, and Wad el-Hilu. Unlike the current plight of Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia, these refugees never had to resort to eating tree leaves, despite Sudan suffering from repeated international sanctions and limited assistance from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Khartoum complained numerous times to the international community to no avail, yet it fulfilled its duty towards the refugees (both religiously and ethically) as guests in need.
Ironically, just before the escalation of the war and the attack on Gezira State, the UN distributed tractors to Ethiopian refugees in Gedaref to assist with the agricultural season. Yet when Sudanese refugees later fled to Ethiopia, the UN failed even to provide them with food.

The RSF, in its attempt and continued failure to seize power by force, resorted to punishing the populace (psychological projection) by attacking unarmed citizens in villages and cities across western and central states, committing widespread killings, looting, theft, displacement, and home occupations—indiscriminately and regardless of religious, tribal, or geographical affiliations. These actions included targeting civilian facilities like hospitals, universities, and even humanitarian organisation warehouses in blatant violation of international humanitarian law.

This impunity and ongoing crimes against humanity persisted because the world remained ignorant or willfully turned a blind eye, failing to take a stand proportionate to the victims’ suffering. Hence, many analysts believe the AU must reassess its stance on the crisis. The AU’s support for the Coordinating Body for Democratic Political Forces “Taqaddum” initiative and its civil partners has proven ineffective twice: firstly, when “Taqaddum” asked the RSF leaders to spare civilians the war’s horrors, resulting in an RSF attack on Madani and continuous weekly assaults on Gezira’s villages; and secondly, when “Taqaddum” met again only for the RSF to attack Sennar.

This continued targeting of civilians shows that the RSF does not fear the civil forces led by “Taqaddum,” even with AU support, as neither possesses the necessary power (military, legal, political, or diplomatic) to deter the RSF. The AU’s decision to suspend Sudan’s membership indicates its stance against the government. From their air-conditioned offices, AU leaders would see the masses of Sudanese migrants and refugees heading east to the Gulf, north to Egypt, and west to Chad, with millions of internally displaced persons roaming the country, constantly on the move from RSF attacks.

The Geneva meeting, expected mid-month, involves AU participation based on the principle of “African solutions for African problems” and its stance against military coups and power seizures by force (which the RSF has pursued since April 2023 for nearly 17 months). In light of the recent condemnations and testimonies from multiple global organisations against RSF war crimes, the question arises: Is the AU prepared for this, and what resolution will it propose or support it presents? Or will it remain a passive observer, waiting indefinitely for the RSF to seize power only to suspend its membership?
Observers question if this prolonged coup attempt sets a precedent unforeseen by African lawmakers.
Sudanese citizens wonder: if the RSF committed all these crimes on its way to power, what horrors await if they succeed?
Does the African Union have volunteers to dig our graves?