2023
15 AprilThe Chairperson of the AU Commission issued a statement on the eruption of conflict in Sudan, urging:
PSC held emergency session on the situation in Sudan. In the communique adopted at the session, the PSC:
The Chairperson of the AU Commission organized a Special Ministerial Meeting on Sudan with bilateral, regional, and international actors. In a communique adopted at the meeting, participants:
The Chairperson of AU Commission appealed to the neighbouring states of Sudan and international community to speedily extend humanitarian support to civilians fleeing the conflict in Sudan.
The Expanded Mechanism for the Resolution of the Conflict in Sudan convened its second meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. During the meeting, Prof. El-Hacen Lebatt, AU Commission Chief of Staff and AU Spokesperson on the Sudan Peace Process, briefed participants on AU’s efforts to coordinate international and bilateral efforts to pressure all Sudanese parties towards a ceasefire, humanitarian action and political dialogue.
Chairperson of the AU for the year 2023, Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of Comoros, met with the Chairperson of the AU Commission in Addis Ababa to discuss the conflict in Sudan.
The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, reaffirmed the imperative of ceasefire in Sudan as Saudi Arabia-US facilitated talks began in Jeddah.
AU convened a meeting with humanitarian organizations based in Addis Ababa to discuss coordination of efforts regarding Sudan crisis and agreed to establish a Forum for regular coordination and briefing on its activities.
PSC met to discuss the situation in Sudan and adopted a press statement that reiterated:
PSC convened a summit level session to discuss the situation in Sudan. In the communique adopted at the session, the PSC:
The Expanded Mechanism for the Resolution of the Conflict in Sudan convened its third meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The meeting:
The Expanded Mechanism’s Core Group held its inaugural meeting to define modalities and work streams for implementing AU’s Roadmap for the Resolution of the Conflict in Sudan.
The AU PSC convened a session on the Horn of Africa and considered the situation in four countries, including Sudan. The outcome was a Communique that:
In the 17th Annual Joint Meeting of AUPSC- UNSC Delegates reiterated their commitment to their cooperative efforts in peace and security. Regarding Sudan, they highlighted the following issues.
The AU PSC convened a meeting and adopted a communique on the Situation in Sudan at its 1185th meeting held at the Ministerial level. In its communique, the PSC stated the following:
The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat renews the call on the combatants. In his press release on 18 December, the Chairperson expressed ‘growing concern’ over the deteriorating security situation in Sudan following the reports of renewed attacks on the Abu Shok camp for IDPs in El Fasher, as well as the spread of the fighting to Wad Medani in Gezira state. The Chairperson urged the SAF and RSF to immediately cease hostilities and engage in meaningful peace negotiations, reaffirming the AU's commitment to collaborating with national, regional, and global actors including IGAD, the League of Arab States, and the United Nations.
The Expanded Mechanism for the Resolution of the Sudan crisis met in Addis Ababa at the AU Headquarter. The meeting, which was attended by the newly appointed AU High-Level Panel for Sudan (HLP-Sudan):
On the sidelines of the 37th AU Summit, the HLP-Sudan discussed the Sudan crisis with various stakeholders, including H.E. Ramtane Lamamra, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Sudan; Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), Bankole Adeoye; and H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan.
Chairperson of the AU Commission issued a communiqué, calling on Sudan’s belligerent parties to observe a ‘total Ceasefire across the whole national territory throughout the holy month of Ramadan’.
The HLP-Sudan concluded its first shuttle diplomacy mission in the region. In this mission, the Panel:
PSC convened its 1209th session to discuss the situation in Sudan. In a communiqué adopted at the session, the PSC:
The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, issued a statement expressing concern alarm at the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in North Darfur, Sudan. In the statement, the Chairperson:
AU/IGAD High-Level Panel on the situation in Sudan issue a press statement expressing that the attacks by the RSF on the town of El Fasher carries the risk of huge civilian deaths, and violation of international humanitarian and human rights law. Moreover, the AU High-Level Panel outlined its intention to facilitate an all-inclusive political process envisaged to proceed in two stages: a planning phase and the main phase.
PSC convened its 1213th session to discuss the situation in the Darfur region of West Sudan. In the press statement issued as outcome document of the session, the PSC:
AU Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, issued a statement, condemning the massacre in Wad Al-Nourah, Gezira state of Sudan. The Chairperson also expressed alarm over the deteriorating situation leading to acute hunger and even famine in various parts of Sudan. The Chairperson urged the warring parties to immediately return to the Jeddah ceasefire process.
PSC convened its 1218th session at the level of Heads of State and Government to consider the situation in Sudan. In the communiqué adopted at the session, the PSC:
Under the auspices of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, and the Executive Secretary of IGAD, Workneh Gebeyehu, the AU High Level Panel on Sudan, together with the IGAD Special Envoy for Sudan, convened a Preparatory Meeting to the Inter-Sudanese Political Dialogue at the African Union Headquarters.
The AU and IGAD, through the AU High-Level Panel on Sudan and the IGAD Special Envoy on Sudan, organized consultations towards the convening of the inter-Sudanese political dialogue with the participation of Sudanese civil and political actors, including representatives of Taqadum, SPLM-North, SLM, Ba’ath Party, DUP, and PCP.
The PSC Delegation undertook a mission to Port Sudan, where it held consultations with the representatives of the Government, including the Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council and Commander of the SAF, H.E. Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, as well as various other Sudanese stakeholders.
The PSC convened its 1235th session to consider the report of a field mission to Port Sudan, which was conducted on 3 October 2024. During the session, the issue of lifting Sudan’s suspension from the AU became a central point of contention among PSC Members, but the suspension was upheld.
The communiqué adopted at the session acknowledged the concerns raised by Sudanese authorities and stakeholders about the suspension but emphasized the need for continued engagement and dialogue.
In addition, the PSC decided to reopen the AU Liaison Office to Sudan in Port Sudan, relocating it from Khartoum due to the ongoing conflict.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, strongly condemned the ‘brutal killings of South Sudanese nationals in Wad Madani, Al Jazirah State, Sudan.’ He called on the Sudanese authorities to fully investigate the heinous crime and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
During its 1261st session, held at the summit level on the margins of the 38th AU Summit, the PSC adopted a communiqué that:
Sudanese civilian political groups convened at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa under the auspices of the AU High-Level Panel on Sudan and the IGAD Special Envoy to Sudan to discuss the path forward for an inclusive Inter-Sudanese Political Dialogue. This marks the third meeting facilitated by the AU High-Level Panel and the IGAD Special Envoy as part of their efforts to facilitate the dialogue. The first and second consultations took place in July and August 2024.
PSC convened its 1264th session to discuss the situation in Sudan. In the press statement issued following the session, the Council:
AU Commission chairperson issued a statement expressing deep concern over escalating violence in Sudan, particularly around El Fasher North Darfur, including reports of intensified attacks in Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps. The Chairperson also urged those besieging El Fasher to lift the blockade and ensure unhindered humanitarian access.
Following a drone attack on Port Sudan reportedly carried out by RSF on 4 May, the Chairperson of the AU Commission issued a communiqué condemning the incident, describing it as a ‘dangerous escalation’ in the ongoing conflict and a ‘direct threat to the lives of civilians, humanitarian access, and regional stability.’ Emphasising the critical role Port Sudan has played as a logistical and humanitarian hub, the Chairperson warned that ‘any aggression targeting it not only threatens the safety of innocent people but also undermines ongoing efforts to stabilize the country.’
AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf held tripartite meeting with the UN Secretary-General and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States (LAS) on the sidelines of the 34th Arab League Summit in Baghdad to discuss the situation in Sudan. They agreed to continue coordinating efforts for a peaceful resolution of the conflict and reaffirmed their commitment to Sudan’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.
The Chairperson of the AU Commission welcomed the appointment of civilian Prime Minister in Sudan, commending it as a step toward inclusive governance and expressing hope that it will contribute meaningfully to ongoing efforts to restore constitutional order and democratic rule in the country.
The PSC, at its 1292nd session, adopted a press statement following the 26 July announcement of a parallel government in Sudan by the Tasis coalition, led by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The statement rejected the RSF-backed Sudan Founding Alliance (Tasis) declaration. The PSC signalled a clear preference for the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) by stating that it recognises only the Transitional Sovereignty Council and the newly appointed civilian government.
The PSC, at its 1293rd session, adopted a communiqué that reiterated its condemnation of the establishment of a parallel government in Sudan. However, it stopped short of reaffirming the position articulated in its 29 July 2025 statement, which recognized only the Transitional Sovereign Council and the Transitional Government established under its authority as the legitimate governing institutions of Sudan.
Council also requested the Chairperson of the AU Commission to convene a meeting of all actors involved in the peace efforts in Sudan with a view to consolidating all these peace frameworks into a single process aimed at resolving the conflict in Sudan, led by the AU and IGAD.
The PSC convened emergency session on Sudan following RSF’s control over El Fasher and the reported atrocities committed during and after the takeover.
Council strongly condemned the ‘criminal activities against Sudanese civilians and the grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, perpetrated by the paramilitary RSF,’ but fall short of invoking article 4(h) of the Constitutive Act of the AU.
The PSC adopted a communiqué at its 1319th session, which largely reiterated earlier decisions with few new elements.
Council requested the AU Commission to establish an Inter-Departmental Task Force to coordinate humanitarian assistance and related activities, including post-conflict recovery.
It also welcomed the new configuration in Sudan’s peace efforts—the Quintet (AU, IGAD, the UN, the Arab League, and the EU) —while stressing the importance of close coordination with the Quad.
The PSC convened a ministerial-level session on Sudan, during which it reiterated its call for the expeditious and full restoration of a democratically elected, civilian-led government in accordance with relevant AU instruments and decisions.
The Council also set a new deadline, requiring the PSC Sub-Committee on Sanctions to submit, within three months of February 2026, a report identifying external actors providing support to parties involved in the armed conflict.
As a follow-up to the Berlin Conference, the Quintet convened consultations in Addis Ababa with Sudanese political and civilian stakeholders to explore pathways for establishing the proposed Preparatory Committee for an inclusive inter-Sudanese political dialogue.
The Chairperson of the AU Commission expressed deep concern over escalating violence in and around El Obeid, North Kordofan State, and the continued deterioration of Sudan’s security and humanitarian situation. The Chairperson further:
