Addis Abeba, 21 April 2019: As a follow-up to the communiqué on the situation in the Sudan adopted by the Peace and Security Council of the African Union on 15 April 2019, the Chairperson of the Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, concluded, today, a 48 hours working visit to Khartoum.
During his visit, the Chairperson held extensive consultations with the Transitional Military Council, political parties and personalities, and civil society organizations, as well with members of the international community in Khartoum, including the African diplomatic corps, the United Nations, the European Union and bilateral partners.
The Chairperson took the opportunity of his visit to reiterate the African Union solidarity with the people of Sudan and support to their yearning for democracy, good governance and well-being. He stressed the need for all Sudanese stakeholders, in this particular juncture, to continue to show a high sense of responsibility and to place the interests of Sudan above any other consideration.
The Chairperson urged all concerned stakeholders to agree on earnest on a civilian-led and consensual transition that would pave the way for the holding of free, fair and transparent elections and mark a turning point in the democratic transformation of their country. He also stressed the need for sustained efforts to advance peace in Sudan, promote reconciliation among all its components, and ensure stability, as key to creating conditions conducive to the fulfillment of the aspirations of all the Sudanese people. He assured his interlocutors of the African Union commitment to supporting them in that endeavor in whatever way possible, building on its longstanding and multifaceted involvement in Sudan.
All the political, military and civil society stakeholders welcomed the the Chairperson’s visit, and looked forward to the continued accompaniment of the African Union. The Chairperson was impressed by the determination of the Sudanese stakeholders to successfully tackle the challenges at hand and reach a consensus on the way forward, so as to seize the unique opportunity availed by the changes that took place in the past days to open a new and hopeful chapter in their country’s troubled history.
The Chairperson will continue to closely monitor the evolution of the situation in Sudan and to avail support as may be required to the Sudanese stakeholders. He looks forward to a successful outcome of their ongoing consultations, as he prepares his report to the Peace and Security Council on the evolution of the situation in Sudan, to be submitted by the end of this month, as per the Council’s communiqué of 15 April 2019.
Ebba Kalondo
Spokesperson to the Chairperson
African Union Commission
Addis Abeba
Mobile: +251911510512
Twitter: @EbbaKalondo
@AUC_MoussaFaki
