ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia
The African Union Commission has welcomed a newly launched initiative aimed at facilitating an internal Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue, describing it as a critical step toward ending more than three years of armed conflict and restoring peace and stability in Sudan.
Since the outbreak of the crisis in April 2023, the leadership of the African Union Commission has prioritized efforts to bridge divides among Sudanese stakeholders. Through sustained engagement, the AU has worked to foster an environment conducive to dialogue and to promote a culture of consultation that can help forge a shared national vision for the country’s future.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Commission reaffirmed its consistent call for the preservation of Sudan’s unity and national institutions, as well as for collective efforts to consolidate a democratic state.
Against this backdrop, the AU leadership welcomed the launch of a dialogue process to be conducted inside Sudan under the supervision of an independent committee of Sudanese elders. The Commission described the initiative as timely and aligned with the African Union’s broader roadmap for resolving the crisis.
To ensure the success of the process, the Commission recommended that consultations be broad and inclusive. It stressed that all Sudanese civil, political, and societal actors should be brought to the table, in line with the principles of inclusivity, genuine Sudanese ownership, and Sudanese leadership of the political transition.
According to the AU, the ultimate objective of the dialogue must be clear: a united, sovereign, and peaceful Sudan governed by legitimate civilian institutions. The Commission further emphasized the need for a single national security architecture and for effective mechanisms to resolve political and social differences through peaceful means.
The Commission noted that the new initiative reinforces the African Union’s own roadmap and complements the work of the Quintet Mechanism, within a coherent strategy that places Sudanese stakeholders at the center of decision-making.
The AU reiterated its readiness to support the independent committee of elders and all Sudanese parties committed to dialogue, as the continent seeks to help Sudan turn the page on conflict and embark on a path of lasting peace and democratic governance.
