Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, made a clear stance on Saturday against the African Union’s (AU) interference in his nation’s domestic affairs.
During a discussion in Damazin, Blue Nile state, Burhan expressed that the Sovereign Council is not against peace. However, he emphasized that they will not accept a peace deal that would take Sudan back to the situation before April 15th, referencing the commencement of conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Burhan indicated that the RSF has been utilizing mercenaries from multiple nationalities and thus should now be classified as a “terrorist group.” He added, “Our vision is that peace will come after eliminating everyone trying to form another army, attacking others, and trying to take control of the state by illegitimate means.”
In response to the African Union’s stance, Burhan said, “If this is your approach, we don’t need your help,” urging the AU to reevaluate their position. He further stated that if the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) deviates from its path, “we Sudanese are capable of resolving our issues without anyone’s assistance.”
The remarks come after the African Union confirmed its discussions with all civil, military, and social parties in Sudan as part of its efforts to mediate the crisis. This follows the Sudanese Foreign Ministry’s criticism of the AU Commission Chairman, Moussa Faki, for meeting with a representative of the RSF.
The African Union, in a statement, clarified that its approach to the ongoing crisis in Sudan is to engage with all parties, including pillars of the ousted regime of 2019, despite strong objections from some forces that played a part in overthrowing that regime. Their goal is to encourage these parties to bravely and wisely halt the destructive fighting in Sudan and participate in a comprehensive national dialogue.
The AU reaffirmed its commitment to work with its African, Arab, and international partners to forge a political path based on the organization’s foundational principles and relevant decisions.
This news comes on the heels of a tweet by Youssef Ezzat, an advisor to the Rapid Support Forces commander, stating he met with Faki in Addis Ababa, accompanied by the Director of the Chairman’s office of the AU Commission, Mohamed El Hassan Ould Lebatt.
