Friday, June 07, 2019

AU Summons Top Meet Over Sudan Crisis
By David Lumu
6th June 2019 10:25 AM

The AU Security Council had given the Sudanese military 15 days to hand over power to civilians but the negotiations stalled

The African Union (AU) has condemned the recent violent crackdown on protesters in Sudan, saying an extra-ordinary AU Security Council meeting has been convened to evaluate the Khartoum crisis.

The AU chairperson, Moussa Faki, has also dispatched his special envoy to Khartoum to among other things hold talks with the military and civilian leadership to forge a way forward as the country struggles to reach consensus on the political question.

“My special envoy is currently in Khartoum and [he is] holding talks with all the parties. I look forward to brief the African Union Peace and Security Council when it meets to evaluate the current situation in Sudan,” Faki said.

Faki said that he has also briefed the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Tibor Nagy, about AU’s position on Sudan crisis, saying that it is vital for the international community to speak with one voice and convince warring parties to resume talks on a consensual transition.

The US embassy in Khartoum has also called for the immediate release of one of the leaders of the civilian movement, Yassir Arman, who was reportedly arbitrarily arrested and beaten.

“We call for his immediate release. Yassir returned to Khartoum to engage in peaceful dialogue. His arrest undermines the junta’s claims that they are interested in negotiating a transition to civilian rule,” the US embassy I Khartoum noted in a statement.

In April, the Sudanese military overthrew an elected Government led by President Omar Al-Bashir, a move AU said, does not conform with the aspirations of the 2000 African Union Constitutive Act.

The AU Security Council had given the Sudanese military 15 days to hand over power to civilians but the negotiations stalled, forcing AU officials to extend the ultimatum for another ten days.

However, on June, fresh protests erupted in Khartoum, with the Sudanese military killing over 100 civilians.

The AU has condemned the brutal arrest and killing of civilian protestors.

In a statement, Faki said: “I strongly condemn the violence that erupted in Sudan and led to reported deaths and several injuries. I call for an immediate and transparent investigation in order to hold all those responsible accountable.”

Faki also called upon the transitional military council to protect civilians from harm.

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