In a virtual meeting chaired by President Yoweri Museveni, the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council Heads of State and Government gathered to address the ongoing conflict in Sudan. The meeting aimed to explore ways to enhance coordinated efforts among regional and international partners to achieve peace and stability for the Sudanese people.
President Museveni, the current Chairperson of the African Union Peace and Security Council, attributed the 70 years of continuous war in Sudan to ideological mistakes by the country’s leaders. “The first mistake was the politics of identity of Africans Vs Arabs or vice versa, Identity of religions; Muslims Vs Christians. This is the reason that caused war for a long time, and we normally talked to Sudanese leaders like Gen. Bashir and this is the problem also in other parts of Africa,” he said.
Museveni also highlighted the mistake of using force and arms instead of dialogue. “Mistake number three, when you use force, you use unprepared people who are not disciplined and have got a wrong ideology yet armed with internal and external forces. That is how you get this catastrophe, the one you are seeing.”
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, emphasized the need for a ceasefire, national reconciliation, and democratic transition in Sudan. “The African Union, with the implementation of the decisions of your council, we have been engaging all those in the spectrum of the conflict to facilitate the peace process,” he said.
Mahamat also commended President Museveni for his efforts in facilitating the peace process in Sudan. “The protection of human rights and the International Humanitarian law will only be possible if national reconciliation is realised. It is for this reason i call for the strengthening of international solidarity to ensure democratic transition in Sudan leading to free and fair elections in order to avoid all sorts of crises that could create further chaos in the country and the region.”
The IGAD Executive Secretary, H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, briefed the meeting on the need for coordinated peace efforts among partners and friends of Sudan. “We must prioritise the Sudanese people who have suffered immensely. IGAD remains committed to finding a path to peace for our Sudanese brothers and sisters, believing that despite the tragic year of war, there is still hope for a peaceful resolution.”
Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Chairperson of the African Union High Level Panel on Sudan, emphasized the urgency of the situation. “Sudan is headed for an unprecedented hunger crisis. The vast majority of the hunger spots are in areas ravaged by 15 months of fighting and out of reach of humanitarian aid. Over two million people are facing emergency and even catastrophic levels of hunger. 75 people are dying each day of hunger and disease in Zam Zam camp alone. More than 15,000 fatalities have been recorded and at least 10 million people have also been displaced. Such figures are horrific and are a reason for us all to act with urgency to end the conflict.”
The leaders demanded that the warring parties, namely the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), immediately stop the fighting and prioritise the interest of Sudan and its people. They also emphasised that there is no viable and sustainable military solution to the conflict and that only a genuine dialogue can lead to a sustainable solution to the current situation.
The meeting was also addressed by a representative of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, H.E Antonio Guterres.
In conclusion, the African leaders united in their call for a ceasefire, dialogue, and national reconciliation in Sudan, recognising the dire humanitarian situation and the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
