COMMUNIQUÉ

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 1308^th emergency meeting on Update on the Situation in Sudan, particularly on the atrocities in El Fasher, held on Monday, 28 October 2025.

The Peace and Security Council,       

Recalling all its previous pronouncements and decisions of the Council on the Situation in Sudan; also recalling the Press release of the Chairperson of the AU Commission condemning atrocities in El Fasher, Sudan, issued on 27 October 2025;

Reaffirming the AU’s commitment to respect the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of Sudan; as well as the AU solidarity and commitment to continue accompanying the people of Sudan in their relentless and legitimate quest for restoring peace, security, stability development and democratic governance, as well as to find a consensual solution to the challenges facing their country;

Standing with the people of El Fasher who have suffered enough since May 2024 under siege by the paramilitary RSF, during which time they have been denied access to food and other social basic needs, which deeply offends, and is  against AU values and international human rights and international humanitarian law; emphasizing the need to redouble efforts to silence the guns in Sudan, ensure justice and accountability; address the root causes of, and put to an end to, the conflict though an inclusive dialogue;

Taking note of the opening remarks by H.E. Ambassador Alfred Tebelelo Boang, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Botswana to the AU and Chairperson of the PSC for October 2025, and  the Statement by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the High Representative for Silencing the Guns in Africa and Chair of the High-Level Panel on Sudan; H.E. Adama Dieng, Special Envoy on the Prevention of Genocide and Other Mass Atrocities; and H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Belaiche, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission for Sudan; and

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

1. Expresses alarm over the escalating violence and reported atrocities in El Fasher, following its takeover by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has resulted in loss of life, and continues to cause an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe;

2. Condemns in the strongest terms possible the criminal activities against Sudanese civilians and the grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, perpetrated by the paramilitary RSF; calls on the leader of the paramilitary RSF to uphold the international humanitarian law;

3. Demands for an immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities and the opening of humanitarian corridors to allow life-saving aid to reach affected populations in El Fasher and warns that perpetrators of such heinous acts will be held accountable; and requests the AU Commission to regularly monitor and report such heinous crimes committed throughout Sudan, in order to put in place preventive measures and reduce the risk of recurrence; develop proposals on how to address them to prevent their further escalation; develop a plan for the protection of civilians, and make recommendations to the PSC within three weeks;
4. Once again, strongly condemns any external interference in Sudan which is fueling the Sudanese conflict in flagrant violation of all relevant PSC communiques and UN Security Council resolutions, in particular Resolution 2750 (2024) and warns that those who support the parties to fuel the conflict in the country will be held accountable; in this regard requests the chairperson of the Commission to urgently convene a meeting of the AU, UN, IGAD and Quad on the situation in Sudan, so as to ensure coordination of efforts, and to put in place a coordination mechanism;

5. Reiterates its call for the PSC subcommittee on Sanctions, in collaboration with the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA) and AU Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL), to identify all external Actors supporting the warring factions militarily, financially and politically, and recommend measures to be taken by the PSC within three weeks;

6. Stresses that there is no military solution to Sudan’s crisis and urges all actors to engage in dialogue and commit to a peaceful, and inclusive political process;

7. Once again, strongly rejects the establishment of the ‘so-called parallel government’ by the paramilitary RSF and calls on the international community not to recognize it;

8. Expresses AU’s full support to efforts aimed at the resumption of a genuine, inter-Sudanese inclusive dialogue towards a negotiated political settlement; in this regard, calls for the resumption of inter-Sudanese political dialogue based on an inclusive approach and within the spirit of reconciliation and search for an amicable political solution;

9. Strongly demands the parties to the conflict to set aside their differences and parochial interests, prioritize the supreme interests of their country and people and give peace a chance, in order to end the untold suffering facing the people of Sudan; and work towards a full restoration of a democratically elected civilian-led government;

10. Directs the Chairperson of the AU Commission to urgently engage with the Members of the PSC Presidential Ad-hoc Committee, under the leadership of H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, to urgently facilitate the negotiation process between the leaders of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary RSF, including the holding of an AU Special Summit on Sudan;

11. Requests the Special Envoy on the Prevention of Genocide and Other Mass Atrocities to urgently undertake a fact-finding mission to Sudan and report back to Council with recommendations within three weeks;

12. Further reiterates its support for the strengthening of the political transition in Sudan, with the aim of achieving a democratic, inclusive, and robust transition process involving all components of the Sudanese people and culminating in free and fair elections;

13. Reaffirms the AU’s commitment to accompany the people of Sudan during the on-going transitional process, in order for the country to attain sustainable peace, stability, security and socio-economic development;

14. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

COMMENTS