African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, along with Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Ediwe Bankouli and Advisor to the Commission Chairperson Professor Mohamed El Hassan, arrived in Khartoum on Saturday, June 12 for a two-day visit with Wad Labbad.
The African Union group met with Sudan’s Sovereignty Council Chairman Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Deputy Sovereignty Council Chairman Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, and Foreign Minister Maryam Al-Mahdi during their visit. The delegation also met with several political leaders, as well as the head and staff of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission (UNITAMS) in Sudan.
According to Sudan News Agency (SUNA), the African Union delegation focused on supporting the democratic transition in Sudan, improving the country’s political, economic and social situation, and the relations between Sudan and the African Union.
After the meetings, African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki praised the efforts of the Sudanese transitional government, especially to face economic challenges. He also stated that the Paris Conference was successful in gathering and attracting support for the transition period, emphasizing that the African Union Commission was ready to contribute to the transition’s success.
After Foreign Minister Maryam Al-Mahdi complimented the African Union delegation for its support for Sudan’s transition after meeting with them. During the conference, it was also stressed the need of finding a complete and suitable solution for all parties involved in the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Sudan’s position, according to Al-Mahdi, is to obtain a legally enforceable agreement on the procedures for filling and operating the dam.
After the 2019 coup, which ousted former President Omar al-Bashir, Sudan has engaged in a political transition made up of civilian and military representatives. The Sudanese Transitional Council will lead the country until establishing a legitimate government through the general election scheduled to be held in 2022.
