Sudan’s Transitional Government presents peace vision to African Union chairperson Ndayishimiye
Upon the gracious invitation of His Excellency Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi and Chairperson of the African Union, a high-level delegation from the Transitional Government of Peace met with him in the political capital, Gitega, to discuss pathways to peace in Sudan and the role expected of the African Union in ending the war and addressing the root causes of the crisis.
The delegation was headed by Mr. Ibrahim Al-Mirghani, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, and included Professor Al-Qoni Mustafa, Representative of the Transitional Government of Peace to the United Nations.
The delegation delivered to His Excellency the President a letter from the Comrade Leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, President of the Presidential Council of the Transitional Government of Peace, and outlined the vision of the Sudan Founding Alliance (TAASIS) for peace a vision that tackles the deep-rooted causes of the Sudanese crisis rather than merely addressing its symptoms.
The delegation affirmed that any serious peace process must begin with an urgent humanitarian truce, the opening of safe corridors for aid delivery to millions of Sudanese suffering from hunger, drone bombardment, and the use of chemical weapons.
It further stressed that the political process must be inclusive, excluding only the terrorist Islamic Movement, its National Congress, and its affiliated fronts.
The delegation explained the rationale and necessity behind the formation of the Transitional Government of Peace, presenting it as a direct response to the collapse of state institutions and the deprivation of millions of Sudanese of their most basic constitutional rights.
It detailed the tangible services provided by the government, including the restoration of the educational system, the reactivation of the health sector, the revival of the judicial apparatus, the establishment of security, the regulation of economic life, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to millions of Sudanese in underserved and war-affected areas.
The delegation also briefed His Excellency on the evolving situation in Sudan and the role expected of the African Union one grounded in neutrality, integrity, and equal distance from all parties.
The delegation further submitted to His Excellency a formal protest against the welcome extended by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr. Mahmoud Ali Youssef, to the dialogue called for by the army of the terrorist Islamic Movement a dialogue that lacks the most basic conditions for equitable negotiation and is conducted under the dominance of the party that ignited the war and seeks its continuation.
The delegation warned that this welcome, unless corrected, would strip the African Union of its neutrality, as it contravenes the Union’s foundational principles which do not recognize any constitutional arrangement resulting from a military coup and violates the decision of the African Union Peace and Security Council suspending Sudan’s membership following the coup of October 21, 2021.
The delegation cautioned that this path risks opening the door to a resurgence of military coups across the continent and hijacking African decision-making for factional and personal interests.
The delegation also provided an update on recent developments, notably the use of chemical weapons, the imperative of imposing an arms embargo and inspecting facilities, and the grave danger posed by terrorist groups possessing chemical weapons a threat that extends beyond Sudan to the broader African region.
For his part, His Excellency President Évariste Ndayishimiye affirmed that the African Union’s position is firmly against military coups, and that the statements of the Commission Chairperson do not represent the will of the Union.
He emphasized that achieving a just peace in Sudan is a priority for him, that the African Union maintains equal distance from all parties, and that during his tenure as Chair of the African Union, he will work to ensure the Union plays an impartial mediating role to end the war in Sudan.
His Excellency also held a telephone conversation with Comrade Leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, President of the Presidential Council of the Transitional Government of Peace, to discuss mediation opportunities and prospects for peace in Sudan.
The delegation thanked His Excellency the President for his gracious invitation and for his commendable stance, which embodies the African continent’s legacy of rejecting coups and upholding peace.
The delegation wished His Excellency success in his mission to achieve security, peace, and dignity for the African people, and extended its wishes for prosperity and development to the people of Burundi.
