The 2025 Statutory Political Meeting of the African Governance Architecture (AGA) – African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) Platform hosted a High-Level Panel discussion on Sudan on the theme Sudan’s Costly war towards a peaceful resolution: the role of AU organs, RECs and RMs to improve coordinated intervention?  on 11 February 2025. The panel deliberated on the status of the crisis and ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability in the country by highlighting the need to coordinate efforts by the various actors involved in peace processes including the African Union Organs and institutions, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and Regional Mechanisms (RMs). The Political meeting was preceded by the Statutory Technical AGA-APSA Platform meeting held on 10 of February 2025 that focused on enhancing joint planning, synergies and coordination.

The African Union has initiated various interventions guided by the AU Master Roadmap on Silencing the Guns in Africa for the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of Sudan. The AU called on all key actors and neighbours of Sudan at the ministerial level to call for cessation of hostilities which later morphed into the Expanded mechanism that was intended to coordinate all efforts in Sudan.

The various speakers reiterated the need for relentless and coordinated efforts to mobilize support, and called for an all-Sudanese inclusive political dialogue that will provide the opportunity to end the current conflict and put in place a consensual civilian transitional government that will holistically address the fundamental root causes of the conflict in Sudan.

Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Chair of the AU High-Level Panel on Sudan mentioned the humanitarian situation in Sudan “is the worst humanitarian crisis in the world’’. Since the war broke out on 15th April 2023 it has spread in all parts of the country causing millions to be displaced, has hampered access to humanitarian aid, lack of food and basic supplies. Children and women and the vulnerable are routinely targeted and the elderly lack the proper medical attention with health facilitates barely functioning. He added the biggest impediment to resolving the conflict is the commitment of both belligerents to resort to military might instead of dialogue as a means to reach a negotiated settlement to the conflict.

The resolve to a military option aided by external interference has equally contributed to fuelling the war and impeded efforts to resolve the crisis. Dr. Chambas underscored the need for an all-inclusive inter-Sudanese political dialogue focusing on ending the war and developing a political framework for governance in the post-war Sudan. He reiterated the urgent need to enhance coordination efforts with partners and regional organizations to prevent duplication of efforts, ensure all processes are inclusive to bring together belligerents, civil societies, Political Parties, Coalitions and Citizens themselves, who continue to bear the brunt of the war. He

Amb. Bankole Adeoye, African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security expressed his optimism on continued engagement with all Sudanese parties, including civilians and political actors, in an all-inclusive solution of the crisis and a comprehensive political dialogue to restore constitutional democracy in Sudan. “We must stop the war in Sudan because it affects us all. Currently, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Egypt, Chad are hosting thousands of refugees. It is unfortunate that Sudan continues to be face unimaginable challenges. Sudan is one of the Founding members of the African Union and as an organization, we are putting our best foot forward to resolve the crisis”, he stated.

Estimates show that the number of internally displaced persons in Sudan rose by 27% in 2024, from 9 million to 11.5 million, with children making up over 53% of the displaced. Hon. Wilson Almeida Adao, Chairperson of African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), and Chairperson of the AGA-APSA Platform at the Political Level recounted how the war has come at an immense cost with thousands of lives lost, communities displacements, and weakened institutions. “One of the most pressing issues before us today is the ongoing humanitarian crisis and conflict in Sudan. Admissions for severe acute malnutrition rose by 44% in 2024, with 431,015 children receiving treatment. The human rights situation is deeply concerning where we witness reports of grave violations, including attacks on schools and hospitals, forced recruitment of child soldiers, and the denial of humanitarian access. It is imperative that a lasting solution is found.”

Amb. Miguel Ntuntumu Evuna Andeme, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and Chair of the Peace and Security Council (February 2025) observed that the prevalence of conflicts and the declining of Democratic practices on the continent call for an urgent need to go back to the drawing board, re-think, re-calculate and renew our commitment to building a democratic, united, peaceful and prosperous Africa. Amb. Miguel outlined the following four practical steps on providing capacity for Member States to strengthen their democratic governance systems for early action; enhanced early warning mechanisms for strong conflict prevention and mediation; inclusion of women, youth and the vulnerable in all processes; and the creation of inclusive and smart synergies and partnerships based on knowledge to cascade support to the grassroots.

Hon. Chief Fortune Z. Charumbira, President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) highlighted the need to call out and put an end the external influences that are exacerbating the war and emboldening the belligerent parties who have continued fighting and are keen on a military option rather than a political dialogue. He emphasized the need for coordinated efforts and called for an end to fragmented interventions among parties.

Amb. Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre, CEO of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) called for better coordination through governance and early warning mechanisms, leveraging existing data and country review reports that have long predicted the crisis in Sudan. “While the African Union excels in early warning, it means little without a collective commitment to strengthening early response. Ultimately, issues of democratic governance must be addressed, as it forms the bedrock of peace. There must be a balanced investment in democratic governance, peace, and security.” She called for increased investments in democratic governance processes."

H.E Remy Ngoy Lumbu, Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR) He highlighted the ongoing human rights violations and atrocities in Sudan, emphasizing the Commission’s commitment to a peaceful and sustainable resolution of the conflict, highlighting the efforts of the Country Rapporteur on Sudan and the Commissioner on Human Rights in Conflict Situations. He noted that the Commission is actively investigating the atrocities and have made a public call for submissions of reports.

H.E Lawrence Korbandy, The IGAD Special Envoy on Sudan called for redefining the concept of democratic governance and human rights to align with the African context, emphasizing the role of community leadership in ensuring lasting peace. He urged concerted and synergized efforts among the AU, its organs, and Regional Economic Communities (RECs). Additionally, he called for inclusive dialogue between the belligerents, incorporating political parties, civil society organizations, and other groups to amplify the message of peace and collaboratively bring an end to the devastating war in Sudan.

Amb. Natalina Edward Mou, Permanent Representative of the Republic of South Sudan and Chairperson of the Permanent Representatives’ Committee- Sub Committee on Human Rights, Democracy and Governance restated the Sub-Committee’s commitment to fostering strong engagement with the AGA-APSA Platform Members for timely engagement on current developments and to consolidate democratic governance, peace, and security across Africa. The Sub-Committee will submit key draft Decisions at the 38^th African Union Summit 2025 that seek to strengthen the financial and technical capacities of AGA-APSA Platform and Secretariat; encouraging Member States to ratify AU Shared Values instruments on human rights, democracy, and governance to enhance their effectiveness, and advocate for greater coordination between AGA-APSA Platform improve effectivness and impact.

The meeting was also addressed by other key leaders who rallied a call for a speedy resolution of the conflict in Sudan, among others, Lady Justice Imani Daud Aboud President of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) and representatives of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).

At the dialogue, the African Union Department of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security has unveiled knowledge products that enhances the access to evidence-based resources to inform policy and operational decisions and positions the African Union as a global leader for knowledge and innovation in peace and security.

For further information please contact:

Amb. Salah Hammad, Ag. Head AGA–APSA Secretariat HammadS@africa-union.org

Ms. Makda Mikre Tessema, Senior Democracy and Governance Expert, AGA – APSA Secretariat Makdam@africa-union.org

Ms. Limi Mohammed, Communication Focal Point for Governance and Conflict Prevention Directorate in the Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department, African Union Commission via email: shashlm@africa-union.org

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org 
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