COMMUNIQUÉ

 

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1137^th meeting held, at Ministerial level on 6 February 2023, on the Updated Briefing on the Situation in the Sudan:

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling all its previous decisions and pronouncements on the Situation in Sudan, particularly, Communiques [PSC/PR/COMM.1117 (2022)] adopted at its 1117th meeting held on 02 November 2022; [PSC/PR/COMM.1076 (2022)] adopted at its 1076th meeting held on 14 April; [PSC/PR/COMM.1060 (2022)] adopted at its 1060th meeting held on 25 January 2022; as well as [PSC/PR/COMM.1041 (2021)] adopted at its 1041st meeting held on 26 October 2021;

Noting the opening statement made by H.E. Dr. Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa and Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council for February 2023, and the statement by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, as well as by the Representative of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the African Union and Head of the United Nations Office to the African Union;

Also noting the briefing made by H.E Ambassador Mohamed Belaiche, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission to the Sudan;

Reaffirming the AU solidarity with the Government and people of the Sudan in their legitimate aspirations to expedite the transition and restore constitutional order in their country; and

Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol:

1. Expresses deep concern over the political stalemate which has prevailed since October 2021, including the suspension of direct talks initiated on 08 June 2022, among the stakeholders, and the failure to appoint a new Prime Minister following the resignation of H.E Abdallah Hamdok, on 02 January 2022, which has consequently created a constitutional void, and delayed the implementation of the Juba Agreement and the resurgence of inter-communal conflicts in some parts of the country;

2. In this context, renews the call for the formation of a broad-based civilian-led government headed by a Prime Minister appointed by consensus, to steer the transition to a new democratic dispensation in Sudan;

3. Reaffirms the imperative of a civilian-led and consensual transition in Sudan in line with the Political Framework Agreement and the aspirations of the people of Sudan, and; welcomes the announcement by General Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman al-Burhan, President of the Transitional Sovereign Council of the Republic of the Sudan, on 04 July 2022, regarding the withdrawal of the military from the political process to allow the civilian stakeholders to reach an inclusive political agreement, as well as the intention of the military to withdraw from transition government institutions, once the civilian stakeholders have reached consensus to form a civilian government; and, in this context, calls upon the military to fully adhere to their commitment to withdraw from transition government institutions;

4. Welcomes the signing of a “Political Framework Agreement” on 05 December 2022 by General Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman al-Burhan President of the Transitional Sovereign Council of the Republic of the Sudan,and General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo and some political parties and professional associations which proposes a 24-month transition period starting from the date of appointment of a civilian Prime Minister and the commitment by the military to withdraw from the transitional government institutions; also commends the signatories of the Framework Agreement for officially launching the “Final Phase of the Political Process” in Sudan, on 08 January 2023;

5. Calls on all political parties and groups that are yet to sign the Political Framework Agreement to do so in the collective and supreme interest of the Sudanese people who are yearning for peace and stability and to expeditiously implement the Framework Agreement towards the restoration of a sustainable transitional period;

6. Urges all in the Sudan particularly the Military and Political Parties to work together towards the speedy and sustainable restoration of the constitutional order through the consensual design of an inclusive roadmap for democratic elections and governance; in this regard, welcomes the progress made by the Steering Committee of the Sudanese Bar Association and the Military on the draft Constitution;

7. Commends the establishment and work of the Trilateral Mechanism since March 2022, bringing together the AU, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the United Nations and encourages the three organizations to collaboratively intensify their efforts towards supporting the Sudanese political process. To this end, commends the Trilateral Mechanism and other Coordinating Committees for organising on 09 January 2023 the initial workshop, in a series of many, on the five priority issues; and the Juba Agreement, which are critical components of the Political Framework Agreement, and encourages the planning and convening of all the remaining scheduled workshops on time;

8. Reiterates the appeal for the Trilateral Mechanism to maintain its equi-distance from all the Sudanese stakeholders, in order to enhance its credibility, integrity and effectiveness as a facilitator of the ongoing Sudanese political process; and urges all stakeholders including neighbouring countries, RECs/ RMs and partners to support the Trilateral Mechanism in this regard;

9. Also expresses concern over the volatile security situation in the states of Darfur, Kordofan and the Blue Nile due to escalating inter-communal violence, which has resulted in the proliferation of militia groups, illicit weapons and organized crime;

10. Reiterates the call for the expeditious implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement, especially security arrangements, and in this regard, requests the AU Commission to support the Sudanese authorities based on the outcome of the ongoing workshops on the Juba Peace Agreement;

11. Reiterates the call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political detainees as an expression of goodwill and as a necessary confidence building measure and a step towards creating conducive conditions for genuine and inclusive national reconciliation;

12. Appeals to the international community and all development partners to continue providing the required technical and financial assistance to the Sudanese authorities, in order to facilitate the success of the ongoing transition process and also appeals for humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people;

13. Re-affirms the continued commitment of the AU, working in close collaboration with the IGAD, to support the ongoing political process in the Sudan to ensure the sustainability of the final solution and expedited return to constitutional order and, in this regard, directs the AU Commission to strengthen partnership and cooperation with IGAD on promoting conflict resolution and peace, as well as constitutionalism in Sudan;

14. Underlines the need to further strengthen the institutional capacity of the AU Liaison Office in Khartoum, and to this end, requests the Chairperson of the Commission to avail to the Office, the required human, material and financial resources, in order to enable the Office to more effectively discharge its mandate;

15. Reiterates its request to the African Union Commission to undertake a technical needs assessment mission to Sudan focused on Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD), through the AUPCRD Center and in close collaboration with the Transitional Government of Sudan, to identify the needs and priorities, and initiate and promote post-conflict stabilization, development and reconstruction projects geared towards tackling the root causes of the conflict, consolidate peace and avoid relapse to violence;

16. Reiterates the decision to undertake a field mission of the PSC to obtain first-hand information on the prevailing situation in the country and to show AU solidarity with the people of Sudan in their legitimate quest for a democratic, stable and prosperous country, and encourage the Sudanese authorities to continue cooperating with the PSC;

17. Requests the AU Commission to report to the PSC on a quarterly basis on the progress made on the transition process in Sudan; and

18. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

COMMENTS