At the kind invitation of His Excellency Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi and Chairperson of the African Union, a high-level delegation from the Transitional Government for Peace met with him in the political capital, Gitega, to discuss paths to peace in Sudan and the role expected of the African Union in ending the war and addressing the root causes of the crisis.
The delegation was led by Mr. Ibrahim Al-Mirghani, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, and included Professor Al-Qoni Mustafa, the Transitional Government for Peace’s representative to the United Nations. The delegation presented His Excellency the President with a letter from Comrade Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, Chairman of the Presidential Council of the Transitional Government for Peace, and outlined the Sudan Founding Alliance’s (TAASIS) vision for peace a vision that addresses the root causes of the Sudanese crisis rather than merely treating its symptoms.
The delegation asserted that any serious peace process must begin with an emergency humanitarian ceasefire and the opening of secure corridors to deliver aid to the millions of Sudanese suffering from hunger, drone strikes, and the use of chemical weapons.
It further emphasized that the political process must be inclusive, excluding only the terrorist Islamic Movement, its National Congress, and its affiliated fronts.
The delegation explained the rationale and necessity for forming the Transitional Government for Peace, presenting it as a direct response to the collapse of state institutions and the deprivation of millions of Sudanese of their most fundamental constitutional rights.
He detailed the concrete services provided by the government, including the restoration of the education system, the revitalization of the health sector, the revival of the judicial system, the establishment of security, the stabilization of the economy, and the distribution of humanitarian aid to millions of Sudanese living in disadvantaged and war-torn areas.
The delegation also briefed His Excellency on developments in Sudan and the role expected of the African Union a role based on neutrality, integrity, and equal distance from all parties.
The delegation also lodged a formal protest with His Excellency regarding the reception extended by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr. Mahmoud Ali Youssef, regarding the dialogue called for by the army of the terrorist Islamic Movement a dialogue that does not meet the most basic conditions for fair negotiations and is taking place under the control of the party that started the war and seeks to continue it.
The delegation warned that this stance, if not corrected, would deprive the African Union of its neutrality, as it contravenes the Union’s founding principles which do not recognize any constitutional arrangement resulting from a military coup and violates the decision of the African Union Peace and Security Council to suspend Sudan’s membership following the coup of October 21, 2021.
The delegation warned that this course of action could pave the way for a resurgence of military coups across the continent and hijack African decision-making for factional and personal gain.
The delegation also provided an update on recent developments, including the use of chemical weapons, the need to impose an arms embargo and inspect facilities, and the grave danger posed by terrorist groups in possession of chemical weapons a threat that extends beyond Sudan to the entire African region.
For his part, His Excellency President Évariste Ndayishimiye stated that the African Union is firmly opposed to military coups and that the statements made by the Chairperson of the Commission do not represent the will of the Union.
He emphasized that establishing a just peace in Sudan is a priority for him, that the African Union maintains an equal distance from all parties, and that, during his term as chair of the African Union, he will strive to ensure that the Union plays an impartial mediating role to end the war in Sudan.
His Excellency also spoke by telephone with Comrade Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, Chairman of the Presidential Council of the Transitional Government for Peace, to discuss mediation possibilities and prospects for peace in Sudan.
The delegation thanked His Excellency the President for his kind invitation and for his commendable stance, which embodies the African continent’s tradition of rejecting coups d’état and defending peace.
The delegation wished His Excellency every success in his mission to bring about security, peace, and dignity for the African people, and extended its best wishes for prosperity and development to the people of Burundi.
