African Union suspends Sudan’s membership

The African Union suspended the participation of Sudan in all its activities until constitutional order is restored with the installation of a civilian-led transition government.

The decision was taken by the AU’s supreme decision-making body the Security and Peace Council as war dragged on in Sudan between the army and the paramilitary force RSF.

“While reaffirming their solidarity with the people of The Sudan in their aspirations to a constitutional framework and institutions that would allow the country to make progress in its efforts towards the democratic transformation of the country, the PSC further decided that, should the Transition Military Council fail to hand-over power to a civilian-led Transitional Authority, the Council would impose punitive measures on individuals and entities obstructing the establishment of the civilian-led Transitional Authority,” the African Union said in a statement.

It also deplored the lack of progress towards the establishment of a civilian-led Transitional Authority since its initial meeting following the coup d’état of 11 April 2019 in Sudan.

The conflict, which has spread to 14 of the 18 states in Sudan, has killed and wounded tens of thousands of civilians, displaced nearly 8 million people and forced two million more to flee to neighboring countries. The warring parties have exacerbated the crisis by obstructing humanitarian access.