African Union rejects foreign interference, parallel government in Sudan

The African Union Peace and Security Council on Sunday rejected foreign interference in Sudan’s internal affairs and attempts to establish a rival entity or parallel government that could threaten the country’s unity and sovereignty.

The position emerged during a meeting between Sudanese Sovereignty Council leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and an African Union Peace and Security Council delegation led by Algerian diplomat Mohamed Khaled at the presidential palace in the capital Khartoum, according to a statement from the Transitional Sovereignty Council.

Khaled, who serves as the council’s rotating chair, described the meeting as “productive” and said it addressed various issues related to peace, security and stability in Sudan.

He reiterated the council’s condemnation of all forms of foreign interference in Sudan’s internal affairs, stating that such intervention “exacerbates the conflict.”

Khaled also affirmed the council’s rejection of attempts to establish a rival entity or parallel government that could undermine Sudan’s unity and sovereignty.

“The only way to achieve lasting peace in Sudan is through dialogue, national reconciliation and the achievement of a comprehensive political settlement that meets the aspirations of the Sudanese people,” he said.

He welcomed steps related to peace initiatives and the government’s return to carrying out its duties from Khartoum, describing the move as “highly important” for restoring the functioning of state institutions and providing basic services to citizens.

Khaled urged the government and political forces to make the transition process more inclusive and to work towards a national consensus leading to a constitutional system through free and fair elections.

Earlier on Sunday, Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris told the council delegation that dialogue among Sudanese parties would “begin soon.”

Sudan has been ravaged by war since April 2023. The armed conflict involves the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), stemming from disputes over plans to integrate the RSF into the regular military.

The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced around 13 million, according to UN estimates.