AU, Troika hail truce in Sudan

The African Union and the Troika have hailed the Sudanese truce that resulted in the reinstatement of the Sudanese Prime Minister, Dr Abdalla Hamdok.

The international bodies affirmed their support for the peace deal and called for a conducive environment for civilians as well as ensuring that a democratic process where peaceful demonstrations are carried out without interruption is established.

The Chairperson of the African Union, Moussa Faki Mahamat, on Sunday released a statement urging both the President of the Sudanese Supreme Council, Abdel Fattah Al Burhan and Prime Minister Dr Abdalla Hamdok, to adhere to the peace accord they jointly inked.

“The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat has learned with the satisfaction of the signing of the agreement reached between the President of the Sudanese Supreme Council Abdel Fatah Al Burhan, and the Prime Minister, Abdalla Hamdok,” the statement read in part.

“The Chairperson recommends this important step towards the return to constitutional order as enshrined in the Khartoum agreements of August 19, 2019, which frame the consensual and democratic transition in Sudan.”

Faki called on politicians, social and civil activists and the populace as well as the military personnel to sustain a peaceful atmosphere and encourage national reconciliation.

“He encourages all political and social, civil and military actors to deepen this orientation and to implement it inclusively and effectively, in a climate of peace and national reconciliation,” the statement continued.

Faki further called upon the international community to stand in solidarity with Sudan for peace to prevail and to realise democracy through regular free and fair elections.

“The Chairperson of the Commission calls on the international community to renew its commitment in solidarity with Sudan so that it regains peace and prepares, in a democratic consensus for regular and free elections which are the only path to put a definitive end to the institutional turmoil in the country and ensure its sustainable development,” the statement concluded.

International call

The United States Secretary of State Anthony Blinken also called for further and intensive talks towards the establishment of democracy in Sudan on Sunday.

“I urge all sides to further talks and redouble efforts to complete key transitional tasks on a civilian-led path to democracy in Sudan. I also reiterate our call for security forces to refrain from excessive force against peaceful protesters, ” he said in his Twitter post.

Blinken disclosed that the reports on the talks were fascinating for they could lead to the release of political prisoners, reinstatement of Prime Minister Hamdok, lifting of the state of emergency and resumption of coordination.

On November 12, 2021, the Troika, which comprises the United Kingdom, Norway, and the United States, the European Union, and Switzerland, were deeply concerned about the dissolution of the Sudan Sovereign Council, which they said had violated the 2019 Constitutional Declaration.

“This unilateral action by the military undermines its commitment to uphold the agreed transitional framework, which requires that civilian members of the Sovereign Council be nominated by the Forces for Freedom and Change and complicates efforts to put Sudan’s democratic transition back on track,” the joint statement on the website of the Norwegian Embassy read.

They jointly called for the reinstatement of Prime Minister Hamdok and the resumption of the civilian-led transitional government. They further asked for all the detainees to be released and for the lifting of the state of emergency.

“We strongly urge against further escalation steps and again call for the immediate restoration of Prime Minister Hamdok and the civilian-led transitional government. “We urge the immediate release of all those detained since October 25 and the lifting of the state of emergency to allow for genuine and constructive dialogue,” the statement read.

The letter closed with a call for respect of human rights so that Sudanese citizens could access freedom of expression without fear of a brutal act against them.

Reinstated                                                           

On Sunday, an agreement was signed by Dr Hamdok and Lt Gen Al-Burhan, leading to the former’s reinstatement as prime minister.

The agreement was signed by Army Chief Abdel Fatah Al Burhan and former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in an attempt to restore civilian rule after a month of turmoil nearly crippled the country.

The peace agreement also allowed the release of political detainees and the declaration of the 2019 constitution as the basis for a political transition.