AU Aims to Enhance Impact of Ongoing Mission in Sudan
A delegation from the African Union (AU) initiated a critical two-day field visit to Sudan on Sunday, focusing on advancing efforts for a ceasefire, enhancing humanitarian access, and revitalizing the political processes necessary to bring an end to the ongoing conflict. This war has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands and the displacement of millions over the past three years.
The AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) is actively engaging with Sudanese authorities and various factions involved in the conflict, highlighting the need for humanitarian aid accessibility and the prospects for a sustainable political resolution. Earlier this year, the PSC made the decision to undertake this mission to bolster initiatives aimed at achieving long-term peace and stability in the region.
The timing of the delegation’s visit is particularly precarious, as the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have successfully regained control over much of the capital, Khartoum, while the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue to maintain a stronghold across various parts of Darfur in western Sudan. Additionally, the strategically important region of Kordofan has emerged as a new focal point for military engagements, intensifying the complexities of the ongoing hostilities.
While the SAF has made significant gains near Khartoum, both factions remain locked in a military stalemate, which complicates diplomatic efforts by the AU. Neither side is poised to secure a decisive victory, leading to a situation in which both groups are reluctant to engage in meaningful negotiations.
The PSC aims to achieve several interconnected objectives: facilitating a ceasefire between the SAF and RSF, improving humanitarian access, and preserving a political dialogue that engages broader segments of Sudanese society beyond just the rival military factions. The AU has consistently advocated for an inclusive, Sudanese-led approach to political negotiations, recognizing that merely halting the fighting will not address the underlying crises that contributed to the current war.
Sudan’s tumultuous transition following the ousting of longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir in 2019 has been troubled by discord between military and civilian leadership, exacerbating tensions following the military’s dissolution of a civilian-military power-sharing agreement in October 2021. The latest conflict erupted in April 2023 amid escalating rivalries over the move toward civilian governance.
A significant challenge for the AU is to ease hostilities sufficiently to enable humanitarian assistance while ensuring that any diplomatic arrangement does not merely reflect an agreement between two armed factions. The AU’s efforts have been ongoing since the onset of the war, and previous attempts at mediation have struggled due to the unwillingness of the combatants to make compromises, given their belief that victory is still achievable on the battlefield.
The outcome of this latest field visit remains uncertain. Its ultimate significance will be determined by the AU’s ability to transform battlefield stalemates into productive diplomatic engagement, preventing further entrenchment of the conflict in Sudan.
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