AU commends Transitional Government of Sudan on addressing multiple challenges
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) – The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) has commended the Transitional Sovereign Council and the Transitional Government of Sudan for their ongoing cooperation, commitment and coordinated engagements, and progress made in addressing multiple challenges facing the country.
It has also encouraged all stakeholders to remain committed to all the articles and timelines of the signed agreements, including the establishment of the Transitional Legislative Assembly and appointment of all civilian State Governors, according to a communiqué issued by the Council late Friday following its 931st meeting on the situation in Sudan.
Chaired by Algeria’s Permanent Representative to the AU and PSC Chairperson for June 2020, Ambassador Salah Francis Elhamdi, the session reaffirmed the solidarity of the AU “with the Sudanese people and the Transitional Government in their aspirations to constitutional order, that will enable them to make progress in their efforts towards the democratic transformation of the country.”
The PSC welcomed the progress that has been achieved so far within the Sudan peace talks facilitated and hosted by South Sudan and, in this regard, expressed appreciation for the role played by the Government of South Sudan, under the leadership of President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
It urged the parties to the peace process to continue to constructively engage each other and expeditiously reach a sustainable peace agreement; and appealed to those parties that have not yet joined this process to do so immediately, without any pre-conditions in order to end the suffering of the people of Sudan and return the country to peace and stability.
The PSC has condemned all acts of violence and called on the Transitional Government of the Sudan, working together with the AU Commission, to develop and submit a list of all those not cooperating and obstructionists to the current peace process, in order for the Council to take appropriate actions;
According to the communiqué, the PSC expressed concern over the humanitarian and economic situation in Sudan, compounded by the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic which may aggravate social tensions that could hamper the ongoing peaceful transition in the country.
The PSC has called upon the International Financial Institutions to continue to positively react to the needs outlined by Sudan including through the country’s access to concessional loans that will be critical to its economic recovery, as well as to engage in transparent and constructive discussions, without undermining the current fragile economic situation in the country.
Also, the Council welcomed the ongoing consultations between the Transitional Government of Sudan and the United States, which are aimed at reaching an agreement on outstanding issues relating to the Sudan’s removal from the United States List of State Sponsors of Terrorism (SST), in order to pave the way for the Government of Sudan to have enhanced access to international funding.
It reiterated its appeal to those countries and institutions concerned to urgently lift all sanctions and punitive measures imposed against Sudan, as well as to consider for debt relief and cancellation and, in this regard, requested the Chairperson of the AU Commission as well as the Panel of the Wise to continue with his efforts in championing this objective.
-0- PANA AR 27June2020
