The African Union (AU) has intensified its diplomatic efforts to address the escalating conflict in Sudan, issuing a strong call for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access. This intervention underscores the continental body’s heightened concern over the deepening crisis, which has triggered a severe humanitarian emergency and destabilized the region.
In a formal statement, the AU Peace and Security Council demanded that the warring parties—the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF)—cease hostilities and engage in unconditional dialogue. The Council emphasized that the ongoing fighting, which began on April 15, 2023, violates previous peace agreements and threatens Sudan’s transition to civilian rule. It urged the factions to prioritize the protection of civilians and allow safe passage for aid convoys, warning that the obstruction of relief supplies constitutes a grave breach of international law.
The conflict has resulted in significant casualties and displaced millions within Sudan and across neighboring countries. According to the United Nations, over 8 million people have been forced from their homes, creating one of the world’s fastest-growing displacement crises. Critical infrastructure, including hospitals and markets, has been extensively damaged, while severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel plague conflict-affected areas. Aid agencies report that bureaucratic impediments and active fighting severely restrict their ability to deliver assistance, leaving vast populations without support.
The AU’s stance aligns with broader international pressure, including from the United Nations and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which has mediated previous rounds of talks. A key point of contention remains the integration of the RSF into the national military structure—a central issue in Sudan’s stalled political transition following the 2019 ousting of former President Omar al-Bashir. The AU has proposed a new mediation framework, suggesting that a credible political dialogue, overseen by regional partners, is the only viable path to resolving the power struggle.
The significance of the AU’s intervention lies in its potential to mobilize unified regional pressure. Historically, divergent interests among African states have complicated collective action on Sudan. However, the current scale of devastation has fostered a rare consensus on the need for a decisive response. The success of any AU-led initiative will depend on its ability to secure the buy-in of both military factions and key external influencers, such as regional powers with ties to the SAF and RSF.
The immediate next steps involve the AU’s planned engagement with IGAD and the UN to finalize a coordinated mediation strategy. The body has also called for the activation of the “Tripartite Mechanism,” involving the AU, UN, and Arab League, to maximize diplomatic leverage. Without a durable ceasefire and a clear roadmap for civilian governance, the conflict risks spiraling into a protracted civil war with catastrophic consequences for Sudan and the Horn of Africa. The international community’s attention remains focused on whether the AU can translate its condemnation into an effective peace process.
