Panafrican News Agency

AU representative in Sudan suspends participation in tripartite talks

Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - The African Union (AU) representative in Sudan, Mohamed Belaiche on Tuesday suspended his participation in the tripartite talks to end the crisis in the country.

The Sudanese news outlet, Sudan Tribune, reported that the AU reresentative's action is to protest his exclusion from the direct meetings between the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) and the military component.

“The African Union cannot continue in a process lacking transparency, honesty and inclusion, as well as respect for all actors and treat them with full and equal respect,” Belaiche said.

“Therefore, based on the directives of the African Union leadership, I decided to not attend further hidden, evasive and opaque meetings in an exclusionary atmosphere,” he stressed.

Sudan Tribune said Belaiche spoke to the media "in a dramatic manner after virulent statements" made by the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) leader, Minnawi Minnawi.

It quoted Belaiche as stressing the African Union’s commitment to the intra-Sudanese process, adding they would resume their participation if the situation changes.

“The African Union has not withdrawn from the mechanism, but it cannot continue meetings in an atmosphere other than transparency, non-exclusion, respect for all parties, and honesty in dealing with everyone,” he said.

Sudan Tribune said the FFC National Coalition, which includes armed groups supporting the military coup, held a meeting with the African diplomats in Khartoum to explain its rejection of the direct meetings between the FFC and military leaders brokered by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the US.

-0- PANA MA 22June2022