Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1233rd meeting, held at the Ministerial level on 25 September 2024, on developments in Sudan;

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling its previous decisions and pronouncements on the situation in Sudan, in particular, Communique [PSC/AHG/ COMM. 1218 (2024)] adopted at its 1218th meeting held at the level of Heads of State and Government on 21 June 2024; the Press Statement [PSC/PR/BR.1213 (2024)] adopted at its 1213th meeting held on 21 May 2024; and the Press Statement [PSC/PR/BR. 1228 (2024)], issues after its 1228th meeting held on 19 August 2024;

Reaffirming the AU's continued commitment to respecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity, national unity, and independence of the Republic of Sudan and reiterating its solidarity with the people of Sudan in their aspiration for the restoration of constitutional order through a civilian-led government;

Taking note of the opening statement by H.E. Lejeune Mbella Mbella, Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Cameroon and Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council for September 2024, and the briefing by H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council:

1. Notes with deep concern the ongoing conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan and once again, strongly condemns the violence in Sudan, in particular, the recent violent clashes and humanitarian catastrophe in El Fasher, the state capital of North Darfur;

2. Demands that the warring parties immediately and unconditionally ceasefire and reiterates the strong imperative to ensure the effective protection of civilians from the looming atrocities and famine;

3. In this context, reaffirms the African Union's commitment to exploring practical measures to ensure protection of all Sudanese civilians, in accordance with PSC Communique PSC/HoSG/COMM.1218 (2024) of 21 June 2024, and re-emphasizes that there is no viable and sustainable military solution to the conflict; and calls for a genuine inclusive dialogue can lead to a sustainable solution to the crisis in Sudan;

4. Calls upon the warring parties to implement in full the agreements reached in the Jeddah Declaration of 11 May 2023 relating to humanitarian access and protection of civilian;

5. Condemns strongly all attacks and violence against civilians, perpetration of violations against children, women and girls, and demands respect for International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law (IHL/IHRL), while warning the perpetrators that they will be held to account for their actions;

6. Notes with grave concern over the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Darfur and demands that the Rapid Support Forces urgently lift the siege on the city of El Fasher, and Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces, ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access to beleaguered populations with severe food insecurity in some regions in Sudan and condemns attacks on farmers that disrupts the ability to provide for the Sudanese population;

7. Reaffirms the continued relevance and implementation of the AU Roadmap for the Resolution of the Crisis in Sudan, including its key pillars of comprehensive and unconditional ceasefire, humanitarian access, and protection of civilians, and requests the Commission and the High-Level Panel on Sudan to step up the collaboration with partners to ensure its full implementation;

8. Condemns all forms of external interference in the internal affairs of Sudan and appeals to all actors currently providing military support to the warring parties to refrain from further fueling the conflict;

9. Underlines the importance of enhanced coordination and complementarity of peace efforts through the AU, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and neighboring countries collaboration, and reaffirms the central role of the AU through the PSC Presidential Ad Hoc Committee and the High-Level Panel;

10. Commends the leadership of H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the PSC Ad Hoc Presidential Committee, and for convening the meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on Sudan in October 2024; and urges the neighboring Countries, AU Member States, and the international community to support the efforts of the Committee towards a swift resolution of the conflict;

11. Looks forward to the PSC solidarity field visit to Port Sudan, Sudan, in October 2024, under the Chairship of the Arab Republic of Egypt, to engage with the stakeholders on the ground, and explore means to reach a sustainable solution to the conflict in the country;

12. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

COMMENTS