PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL
ط1235TH MEETING
9 OCTOBER 2024
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
COMMUNIQUÉ
AFRICAN UNION
Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1235th meeting held on 9 October 2024 on Consideration of the Report of the Field Mission to Egypt and to Port Sudan conducted from 1 to 4 October 2024.
A. On the Field Mission to Sudan:
The Peace and Security Council,
Recalling its previous decisions and pronouncements on the situation in Sudan, particularly, Communiqués [PSC/MIN/COMM.1/1233(2024)] adopted by the PSC at its 1233rd meeting held at Ministerial level on 25 September 2024 in New York on the margins of the UN General Assembly; [PSC/AHG/COMM. 1218 (2024)] adopted at its 1218th meeting held at the level of Heads of State and Government on 21 June 2024; as well as Press Statements [PSC/PR/BR.1213 (2024)] adopted at its 1213th meeting held on 21 May 2024; and [PSC/PR/BR.1228 (2024)], adopted at its 1228th meeting held on 19 August 2024; [PSC/PR/COMM.1041 (2021)] adopted at its 1041st meeting held on 26 October 2021;
Reaffirming the AU solidarity and unwavering commitment to continue supporting the Government and people of Sudan in their aspirations to restore lasting peace, security, stability, and prosperity in their country for the benefit of, not only the people of Sudan, but all neighboring countries, the entire Horn of Africa region, and the wider African Continent;
Also reaffirming the AU commitment to respect the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Sudan;
Noting the opening statement by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohammed Gad, Permanent Representative of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the African Union and Chairperson of the PSC for the month of October 2024, and the statement by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security;
Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council,
1. Adopts the Report of the field visit to Egypt and Sudan and its recommendations, conducted on 3 October 2024;
2. Strongly condemns the violence in Sudan, including widespread and systemic sexual and gender-based violence such as the use of rape as a weapon of war, as well as the perpetration of violations against children, the looting of humanitarian supplies, the destruction of civilian infrastructure including hospitals and schools, and the occupation of civilian buildings and homes, resulting in the forced displacement of their owners;
3. Also strongly condemns the violent clashes and unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in Darfur, and demands that the Rapid Support Forces urgently lift the siege on the city of EL Fasher and ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access to the populations in Sudan suffering from acute food insecurity;
4. Urges the warring parties to implement the agreements reached in the Jeddah Declaration of 11 May 2023 relating to humanitarian access, protection of civilians, and withdrawal from civilian homes and buildings;
5. Once again underlines the importance of preserving Sudanese state institutions;
6. Demands the parties to the conflict to ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access to the population in need, welcomes the decision of the Government of Sudan to open the Adre border crossing from Chad to North Darfur, and calls on the parties to open more humanitarian corridors indefinitely;
7. Requests the Chairperson of the Commission to urgently mobilize humanitarian assistance through relevant AU institutions and submit a report within ten days;
8. Reiterates that there is no viable and sustainable military solution to the conflict and urges for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire, and a return to negotiations;
9. Underlines the centrality of an all-Sudanese genuine and inclusive dialogue as the only viable path to a consensual solution, requesting the AU Commission to continue facilitating dialogue;
10. Emphasizes that any solution to the crisis must be Sudanese-owned, rejects external interference, and calls on the international community to coordinate efforts under the leadership of the AU;
11. Underscores the importance of engaging Sudanese officials regarding proposals made by the Transitional Sovereignty Council’s Chairman, including ending the war and restoring a civilian-led political transition;
12. Welcomes the willingness expressed by the Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council towards the formation of a civilian-led transitional government;
13. Urges key stakeholders, especially warring parties, to cooperate with the PSC Presidential Ad Hoc Committee on Sudan;
14. Requests the AU Commission to support engagements with Sudan and relevant stakeholders in the implementation of the AU Roadmap;
15. Acknowledges that Sudan faces dire threats likely to spill over into the continent and urges the AU to redouble efforts to support Sudan;
16. Takes note of Sudanese concerns over their suspension from AU activities and calls for more engagement with Sudanese authorities and stakeholders;
17. Requests the reopening of the AU Liaison Office in Port Sudan to engage stakeholders and provide technical support;
18. Expresses deep appreciation to Sudanese authorities, particularly Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, for facilitating the PSC engagements; and
19. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
B. On the Engagements in Cairo
The Peace and Security Council,
1. Welcomes consultations with H.E. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, and looks forward to continued engagement between the organizations;
2. Welcomes the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the AU Commission and the Egyptian Peacekeeping Operations Training Center (EPOTC), which will support strengthening the capacities of AU peace support operations;
3. Expresses appreciation for discussions with H.E. Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt;
4. Expresses appreciation to the Government of Egypt for facilitating the engagements of the PSC.
This concludes the translation of the document .
Here’s the continuation of the English text:
issued at its 1218th meeting held at the level of Heads of State and Government on 21 June 2024; as well as Press Statements [PSC/PR/BR.1213 (2024)] adopted at its 1213th meeting held on 21 May 2024; and [PSC/PR/BR.1228 (2024)], adopted at its 1228th meeting held on 19 August 2024; [PSC/PR/COMM.1041 (2021)] adopted at its 1041st meeting held on 26 October 2021;
Reaffirming the AU solidarity and unwavering commitment to continue supporting the Government and people of Sudan in their aspirations to restore lasting peace, security, stability, and prosperity in their country for the benefit of, not only the people of Sudan, but all neighboring countries, the entire Horn of Africa region, and the wider African Continent;
Also reaffirming the AU commitment to respect the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Sudan;
Noting the opening statement by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohammed Gad, Permanent Representative of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the African Union and Chairperson of the PSC for the month of October 2024, and the statement by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security;
Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council,
1. Adopts the Report of the field visit to Egypt and Sudan and its recommendations, conducted on 3 October 2024;
2. Strongly condemns the violence in Sudan, including widespread and systemic sexual and gender-based violence such as the use of rape as a weapon of war, as well as the perpetration of violations against children, the looting of humanitarian supplies, the destruction of civilian infrastructure including hospitals and schools, and the occupation of civilian buildings and homes, resulting in the forced displacement of their owners;
3. Also strongly condemns the violent clashes and unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in Darfur, and demands that the Rapid Support Forces urgently lift the siege on the city of EL Fasher and ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access to the populations in Sudan suffering from acute food insecurity;
4. Urges the warring parties to implement the agreements reached in the Jeddah Declaration of 11 May 2023 relating to humanitarian access, protection of civilians, and withdrawal from civilian homes and buildings;
5. Once again underlines the importance of preserving Sudanese state institutions;
6. Demands the parties to the conflict to ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access to the population in need, welcomes the decision of the Government of Sudan to open the Adre border crossing from Chad to North Darfur, and calls on the parties to open more humanitarian corridors indefinitely;
7. Requests the Chairperson of the Commission to urgently mobilize humanitarian assistance through relevant AU institutions and submit a report within ten days;
8. Reiterates that there is no viable and sustainable military solution to the conflict and urges for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire, and a return to negotiations;
9. Underlines the centrality of an all-Sudanese genuine and inclusive dialogue as the only viable path to a consensual solution, requesting the AU Commission to continue facilitating dialogue;
10. Emphasizes that any solution to the crisis must be Sudanese-owned, rejects external interference, and calls on the international community to coordinate efforts under the leadership of the AU;
11. Underscores the importance of engaging Sudanese officials regarding proposals made by the Transitional Sovereignty Council’s Chairman, including ending the war and restoring a civilian-led political transition;
12. Welcomes the willingness expressed by the Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council towards the formation of a civilian-led transitional government;
13. Urges key stakeholders, especially warring parties, to cooperate with the PSC Presidential Ad Hoc Committee on Sudan;
14. Requests the AU Commission to support engagements with Sudan and relevant stakeholders in the implementation of the AU Roadmap;
15. Acknowledges that Sudan faces dire threats likely to spill over into the continent and urges the AU to redouble efforts to support Sudan;
16. Takes note of Sudanese concerns over their suspension from AU activities and calls for more engagement with Sudanese authorities and stakeholders;
17. Requests the reopening of the AU Liaison Office in Port Sudan to engage stakeholders and provide technical support;
18. Expresses deep appreciation to Sudanese authorities, particularly Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, for facilitating the PSC engagements; and
19. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
B. On the Engagements in Cairo
The Peace and Security Council,
1. Welcomes consultations with H.E. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, and looks forward to continued engagement between the organizations;
2. Welcomes the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the AU Commission and the Egyptian Peacekeeping Operations Training Center (EPOTC), which will support strengthening the capacities of AU peace support operations;
3. Expresses appreciation for discussions with H.E. Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt;
4. Expresses appreciation to the Government of Egypt for facilitating the engagements of the PSC.
