...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful...
on Monday condemned the formation of a parallel government by Sudan
...a Moslem country located in the Horn of Africa. It is noted for its affinity for rule by ex- or current generals, its holy men, and for the oppression of the native Afro population by its Arab conquerors. South Sudan, populated mostly by the natives, split off from Sudan proper, which left North and South Darfur to be oppressed by the guys with turbans...'s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and called for an immediate halt to hostilities, while a diplomat said the bloc was not yet ready to lift Sudan's membership suspension.
In a statement on the X platform after its 1293rd emergency meeting, the AU's Peace and Security Council (PSC) labelled the parallel administration a ''direct threat to the political process'' and reaffirmed its support for Sudan's illusory sovereignty.
The RSF, which has been fighting the Sudanese army for control of the country, announced in July the formation of a government based in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur.
''The Council condemned the escalation of military actions and foreign interference,'' the statement read, urging Sudanese parties to engage in a ''comprehensive, Sudanese-led political dialogue'' and calling for the coordination and unification of various peace efforts.
The meeting highlighted the dire humanitarian crisis, with the council hearing updates from Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, Chair of the AU's High-Level Panel on Sudan, and Dr. Haneed Nuru of the World Food Programme. Members emphasised the priority of protecting civilians and ensuring unimpeded access to aid.
The AU's engagement is structured through three key bodies: an Expanded Mechanism to foster international consensus, the High-Level Panel to oversee the AU's peace roadmap, and a dedicated committee to engage warring parties on a ceasefire.
Despite these efforts, an African Union diplomatic source told Sudan Tribune that the emergency session did not address lifting the suspension of Sudan's membership, which was frozen after a 2021 military takeover. ''The escalating situation and current complexities— were the focus of the discussion,'' the source said.