On Thursday, UNITAMS Director Volker Perthes and African Union Envoy Mohamed El Hacen Lebatt announced that they will join forces to help Sudan break its present political impasse and reinstall a civilian-led transitional government.
At a joint press conference on Thursday, the UN secretary-special general’s representative emphasized that the UN is committed to working with the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to return Sudan to a genuine transition path, culminating in free and fair elections and democratic civilian government.
According to Perthes, the purpose of this alliance is to restore the constitutional situation and pave the way for a transition to civil and democratic rule. He emphasized that the UN and the African Union will not force a solution, but rather that the debate should be “Sudanese – Sudanese.” Also, he commented about the timing after announcing the agreement, saying they are in a state of urgency and need to complete the process as soon as possible.
“We don’t have much time to act,” he remarked, referring to Sudan’s failing economic and security circumstances, as well as the deadly suppression of demonstrators killed in the streets. He also warned that the deadline for Sudan’s debt remission is approaching. “We need to find a solution before June,” he continued.
Lebatt, for one, stated that neither the UN nor the African Union will define the agenda for the proposed intra-Sudanese conversation. He stressed that Sudanese must design a rapid transitional program, which encompasses the constitutional, executive, and judicial positions.
The African Union official discussed the steps that must be taken to establish a favorable climate for the political process, including the release of political detainees, the cessation of violence against protestors, and the lifting of the state of emergency. “We need responsible and appropriate action as soon as possible for national consent, in order to restore the constitutional legitimacy of the country and end the military coup,” said the African diplomat who mediated the constitutional declaration of 2019.
Observers are concerned that the military may attempt to juggle various programs in order to maintain power.
The Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) applauded the African Union’s and UNITAMS’ assistance in resolving the Sudanese problem.
On Thursday, the political coalition met with the two partners to review the situation in Sudan and possible solutions to the political issue. “The FFC Executive Office reiterated that any political process must achieve the goals of the revolution and the demands of the street,” said the statement. The statement went on to say that the state of emergency should be lifted, that violence against protestors should be stopped, and that political detainees should be released.
