Faced with a war that has plunged Sudan into an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, the African Union is stepping up its efforts to promote a return to peace. The organisation is calling for a permanent ceasefire, humanitarian access and inclusive political dialogue, while supporting justice and civilian protection mechanisms.
Ceasefire, humanitarian access and political dialogue: the African Union (AU) is stepping up its efforts to end the war in Sudan. Since fighting broke out on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, the African Union has been advocating a roadmap based on an immediate, permanent, unconditional and inclusive ceasefire, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and the opening of political dialogue among Sudanese civilian actors. The organisation stresses the need to coordinate diplomatic initiatives.
Permanent ceasefire, humanitarian access, global coordination of initiatives, ensuring that the spillover to regional neighbours will not affect stability.
Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security
In several regions of Sudan, the violence has involved executions, kidnappings, torture, sexual violence and looting, while ethnic tensions continue to worsen, particularly in Darfur. In response to the situation, Adama Dieng, the AU Special Envoy for the Prevention of Genocide and Other Mass Atrocities, is calling for civilian protection and humanitarian access to be made a priority. According to him, resolving the crisis requires a credible ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access and a political solution.
Continue to call for an unconditional and credible ceasefire between the warring parties. Continued advocacy for a stable and inclusive political environment in Sudan is essential for long-term peace. Support for democratic governance and electoral processes must be prioritised to empower the Sudanese people.
Adama Dieng, AU Special Envoy for the Prevention of Genocide and Other Mass Atrocities
Human rights organisations are raising the alarm over the increasing number of violations and the shrinking space for civil society, journalists and human rights defenders. They are calling for stronger efforts by the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission, as well as judicial mechanisms tasked with identifying and prosecuting those responsible for the crimes committed.
The legal structure and assumptions make securing legal justice more complicated, and there is a pressing need for additional support for these extremely sensitive and yet devastating cases.
Mohamed Ahmed, Representative of Christian Solidarity Worldwide
33.7 million people. That is the number of people who today depend on emergency humanitarian assistance to survive in Sudan, while nearly 13 million have fled their homes. The food crisis is also worsening: more than 20 million people are suffering from acute hunger and food insecurity. Since fighting broke out in Khartoum, the country has been descending into what the United Nations describes as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Faced with this disaster, the African Union (AU) is doing its utmost to make its voice for peace heard.
