The African Union (AU) has reiterated its firm opposition to military coups, including Sudan’s 2021 takeover, and has urged an immediate ceasefire and renewed political dialogue to address the ongoing conflict in the country.
Sudan, whose AU membership was suspended following the October 25, 2021, coup, is pressing for reinstatement. However, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the country’s de facto leader, insists that mediation cannot proceed unless the sanctions imposed on his government are lifted.
Bankole Adeoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, restated the bloc’s zero-tolerance policy for unconstitutional coups during a news conference in Addis Ababa. “The AU’s position is constant: zero tolerance for unconstitutional coups,” he emphasized.
Adeoye outlined collaborative efforts with the regional bloc IGAD and the United Nations to find a practical resolution to Sudan’s crisis. The priorities include securing a ceasefire and ensuring humanitarian access. He stressed that deploying a proposed AU mission to Sudan depends on achieving a durable ceasefire agreement.
“A military solution to the crisis cannot be achieved without the participation of active civilian and political actors,” Adeoye said. He called for a democratic and peaceful “new Sudan” and underscored the importance of dialogue among all stakeholders.
Adeoye also condemned external interference in Sudan and other African nations, citing its destabilizing effects. He highlighted the AU’s focus on addressing key issues such as power imbalances between central and peripheral regions, protecting marginalized groups, preventing ethnic cleansing, and ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid.
The AU is committed to countering the use of mercenaries and mitigating external influence, which it identified as a major driver of the Sudanese crisis. Adeoye reaffirmed the bloc’s dedication to democracy, peace, and stability across the continent.
