Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said his country is strongly pushing to end the suspension of Sudan’s membership in the African Union.
In press statements following the AU Peace and Security Council session on Thursday, Abdelatty described Sudan’s suspension as unacceptable, noting that a country like Sudan, which helped found the Organization of African Unity and later the African Union, should not be deprived of participating in the institution.
“We must act with wisdom and pragmatism and engage with the Sudanese government led by the Sovereign Council and the government of Kamil Idris,” he said.
Abdelatty said Egypt, through its chairmanship of the AU Peace and Security Council, is exerting significant efforts to build the necessary consensus within the Council to end the suspension.
He revealed that Egypt, during its February chairmanship, invited the Sudanese foreign minister to participate in the first informal session to hear the Sudanese government’s vision and updates on developments.
He also disclosed arrangements for a visit by an AU Peace and Security Council delegation to Sudan to reinforce the legitimacy of the Sudanese government and the Transitional Sovereign Council.
Regarding steps to end Sudan’s suspension, Abdelatty acknowledged the absence of full consensus within the Council, noting that specific proposals and ideas are still under serious review.
He reiterated Egypt’s support for Sudan and its institutions, stressing that any humanitarian truce leading to a sustainable ceasefire must include the establishment of safe havens to protect civilians, particularly following killings, arson, and rape reported in El Fasher, which he attributed to the Rapid Support Forces.
He added that establishing safe corridors is essential and linked to any humanitarian truce, while stressing the need for an inclusive political process without external interference. “There is no place for mercenaries or institutions operating outside the national state,” he said.
