KHARTOUM: Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, declared on Saturday that the country “doesn’t need” the African Union (AU) to resolve the nearly five-month-long conflict. This statement comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions following a meeting between the head of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, and a political adviser to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) last week.
The ongoing war between the army and the RSF, which began on April 15, has reportedly resulted in the deaths of “nearly 7,500” people, according to a recent report by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) project. ACLED noted that this figure is considered a conservative estimate.
Reports from ACLED, local activists, and aid groups have repeatedly emphasized that casualty figures in Sudan are likely underreported due to the challenges of accessing conflict-affected areas and a lack of transparency from the warring parties regarding their own casualties.
The conflict has been concentrated around the capital, Khartoum, and the western region of Darfur, with ongoing clashes reported on the outskirts of El Fasher, the North Darfur state capital.
Diplomatic efforts to end the hostilities between the forces led by General Burhan and his former deputy, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, have faced numerous obstacles. Despite several ceasefire agreements brokered by the United States and Saudi Arabia early in the conflict, violations were widespread, leading to the suspension of mediation efforts in June.
Diplomatic Efforts to End Sudan War
Recently, there have been indications that General Burhan is exploring diplomatic avenues, with visits to Egypt, South Sudan, and Qatar. However, during a speech to troops in the southern state of Blue Nile on Saturday, he appeared to dismiss regional mediation efforts. Burhan criticized the AU’s approach following the meeting between Moussa Faki Mahamat and the RSF adviser, Youssef Ezzat, stating, “If this is your approach, we don’t need your help.”
The Sudanese foreign ministry characterized the meeting as “a dangerous precedent” and “a clear violation” of the AU’s norms, emphasizing that the organization should not engage with rebel movements and criminal terrorist militias.
In response, Mohamed El Hacen Lebatt, a spokesperson for the AU Commission, affirmed the AU’s commitment to interact “with all parties” and highlighted that no Sudanese party had expressed reservations when other international actors adopted a similar approach.
Sudan’s AU membership was suspended in 2021 following a coup led by Burhan and Daglo, which disrupted the transition to civilian rule following the removal of former President Omar al-Bashir. Burhan also criticized the East African bloc IGAD, accusing it of deviating from its original course and implying that Sudan could resolve its problems independently.
