Communiqué Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1149th meeting, held on 16 April 2023, on Briefing on the situation in Sudan

Please refer to the attached file.

Recalling its previous decisions on the situation in Sudan, in particular communique [PSC/PR/COMM.1041(2021] adopted at its 1041st meeting help on 26 October 2021;

Taking note of the statement by H.E. Abdelhamid GHARBI Permanent Representative of the Republic of Tunisia and Chairperson of the PSC for April 2023 and the briefing by H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission as well as his statement of 15th of April 2023 on the current situation in the Republic of Sudan;

Reiterating Council’s solidarity with the people of Sudan in their quest for the restoration of constitutional order through a civilian-led government, while reaffirming the continued commitment to the respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, and the political unity of the Republic of Sudan; and,

Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol:

1. Notes with grave concern and alarm the deadly clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have reached a dangerous level and could escalate into a full-blown conflict, thereby undermining the progress made towards a peaceful transition to democracy and stability in Sudan;

2. Strongly condemns the ongoing armed confrontation between the two sides throughout Sudan, which has resulted in loss of lives, injuries amongst civilians including international humanitarian workers, and destruction of property;

3. Calls for an immediate ceasefire by the two parties without conditions, in the supreme interest of Sudan and its people in order to avoid further bloodshed and harm to innocent civilians; to protect civilians especially women and children; and to provide humanitarian support to civilians caught up in the conflict;

4. Demands the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to swiftly embrace a peaceful solution and inclusive dialogue to resolve their differences as a means to promoting stability, and respecting the wishes of the people of Sudan for restoration of democracy, constitutionalism, rule of law and freedom;

5. Strongly rejects any external interference that could complicate the situation in Sudan;

6. Urges the countries of the region and other stakeholders to support ongoing efforts to return the country to the transition process towards a constitutional order;

7. Requests the Chairperson of the AU Commission to continue using his good offices to engage with the parties to the conflict in order to facilitate dialogue and peaceful resolution of the conflict in Sudan; and commends his commitment to immediately travel to Sudan to engage the parties towards a ceasefire;

8. Further decides that this Council shall undertake a Field Mission to Sudan in order to engage with all Sudanese stakeholders on the situation in the country;

9. Requests the Chairperson of the Commission to relay this decision to the Sudanese stakeholders, in particular the AU’s demand for the guns to be silenced in Sudan;

10. Further requests, within the framework of the AU, IGAD and UN Trilateral Mechanism on Sudan’s political transition, the Chairperson of the Commission to continue the consultations with the UN Secretary General and IGAD Executive Secretary towards a consolidated response by the international community;

11. Requests the Commission to brief the Council regularly on the situation in Sudan and the implementation of this Communiqué;

12. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.