AU Peace and Security Council on three-day mission to Sudan

Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) – A delegation of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), led by Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the AU,  Ambassador Jean Njeri Kamau, arrived in Khartoum, Sudan, on Monday on a three-day field mission to verify the implementation of its various decisions on the situation in the country.

The delegation comprises PSC Member States, namely: Burundi, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria and Senegal.

A statement issued by the PSC said the Field Mission is taking place in line with the Council’s mandate to promote and enhance peace, security and stability in the continent, in particular, as it relates to the implementation of various decisions on the situation in Sudan.

It is also taking place following the signing of the Juba Peace Agreement on 3 October 2020; the removal of Sudan from the United States list of State Sponsors of Terrorism (SST), leading to the lifting of sanctions on the country; and the establishment of a new Cabinet based on the peace agreement, which includes most of the former armed movements; as well as the recent signing of the ‘Declaration of Principles’ that calls for freedom of religion and cultural identity in Sudan.

During the mission, the Council will gather first-hand information regarding the political, security, economic and humanitarian developments in the country, including the state of progress in the implementation of the Juba Agreement, challenges being faced and to ascertain the next steps required in order to facilitate a successful transition in the country.

Furthermore, the delegation will reaffirm the AU solidarity with the Government and people of Sudan, as well as the unwavering commitment of the AU to support the ongoing transition and to encourage the Transition Government to continue implementing the signed agreements with a view to build a peaceful Sudan. This is the fifth field mission of the PSC to the Sudan since March 2013.

According to the statement, the delegation will hold consultations with a number of stakeholders, among others, the high officials of the Transitional Government, political parties, civil society organizations, African diplomatic community, representatives of the United Nations Integrated Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), European Union and the Five Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council.

The delegation will also travel to El Fasher, North Darfur, where it will visit the Abushuk internally displaced persons camp and consult with UNAMID officials.

-0- PANA AR 30March2021