Sudan Events – Reports
On Thursday, the Chairman of the Sovereignty Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, met with the delegation of the African Peace and Security Council visiting the country in Port Sudan, headed by Ambassador Mohamed Gad, Egypt’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, who is currently chairing the council for October.
Burhan welcomed the delegation’s visit to Sudan, stating, “We still believe that the African Union’s characterization of the events of October 25 as a coup is inaccurate and does not reflect the facts.”
He affirmed that Sudan is facing a new form of colonialism, adding that the African Union’s disregard for the crisis the Sudanese people are enduring stems from its lack of understanding of the true nature of the crisis. He pointed out that the country is under occupation by a rebellious militia, supported by foreign mercenaries and aided by nations known to all. He highlighted the militia’s attacks on peaceful cities, violating citizens’ rights, looting their property, and committing heinous crimes against women. Burhan expressed his refusal to allow foreign entities to control Sudan by using militias to wage war on the country.
Burhan also claimed that certain political forces are eager to return to power by any means necessary, even before citizens can return to their homes, which have been occupied by the rebel militia.
Ambassador Mohamed Gad stated in a press briefing that this visit marks the first by the Peace and Security Council to Sudan in several years, emphasizing Egypt’s commitment to this visit since it assumed the council’s chairmanship in April. He added that Burhan’s clarifications helped the council understand the complexities of the Sudanese crisis, affirming the delegation’s support for Sudan in achieving peace. Gad also emphasized Egypt’s keenness to see Sudan emerge from the crisis successfully and expressed the need to create the appropriate conditions for Sudan to regain its membership in the African Union, adding that such a serious crisis should not result in Sudan’s membership being suspended.
Ambassador Gad confirmed that the African Peace and Security Council will work towards achieving peace in Sudan, enforcing a ceasefire, and supporting the facilitation of humanitarian aid to the Sudanese people.
Sudan’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Al-Zein Ibrahim Hussein, noted in a press statement that the African Peace and Security Council’s visit is of great importance as it is the first since 2015. He said it signals a positive new engagement between the African Union and Sudan following the suspension of its membership on October 26, 2021, after corrective measures were taken to end the partnership with the civilian component. He further explained that the delegation received detailed briefings from the Chairman of the Sovereignty Council on various military, security, political, and humanitarian issues.
Ambassador Hussein emphasized that the Arab Republic of Egypt currently chairs the African Peace and Security Council, and the delegation included the Commissioner for Peace and Security and the African Union’s representative in Sudan, Ambassador Mohamed Belhaich. He concluded that the visit would serve as a roadmap for Sudan’s reintegration into the African Union.
