African Union backs Sudanese-led dialogue to end conflict

The African Union Commission has expressed support for a new Sudan-led dialogue aimed at resolving the conflict that has plagued the nation since April 2023. In a statement issued on Monday, the Commission highlighted how the initiative could serve as a forum for Sudanese stakeholders to reconcile their differences and strive towards a unified vision for peace and stability.

Since the conflict began, the African Union Commission has championed dialogue among Sudanese parties, advocating for national unity and the preservation of state institutions. The Commission emphasized that efforts to address the crisis should focus on restoring and solidifying a democratic state. Welcoming the latest initiative, the Commission noted that the proposed Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue would occur within Sudan's borders, under the watchful eye of an independent committee composed of Sudanese elders.

The Commission urged the organizers to ensure the process involves civil society, political groups, and other segments of Sudanese society. It stressed the importance of genuine Sudanese ownership and leadership in the proceedings. The broader goal of the African Union is to establish a united and sovereign Sudan, governed by legitimate civilian bodies.

A lasting solution, according to the Commission, should culminate in a unified national security framework and effective means for resolving political and social disputes through peaceful channels. The African Union sees the new initiative as aligned with its existing roadmap for Sudan and complementary to the efforts of the Quintet Mechanism, which aims to coordinate international and regional actions to resolve the crisis.

The Commission reiterated its commitment to supporting initiatives that place Sudanese stakeholders at the forefront of finding a political resolution to the conflict.