In a bid to find ways to end the conflict in Sudan, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni met with US Special Envoy on Sudan, Thomas Perriello at State House Entebbe.
The meeting, attended by Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, and US Ambassador to Uganda William Popp, focused on implementing the African Union’s Peace and Security Council communiqué on Sudan.
President Museveni, who has played a leading role in mediating the conflict, emphasized the importance of dialogue and reconciliation among the warring factions. The Sudanese conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has resulted in thousands of casualties and a severe humanitarian crisis.
As chair of a recent AU Peace and Security Council meeting, Museveni condemned the political missteps that have fueled the crisis and called for a cessation of hostilities. This was during an AUPSC meeting he chaired recently.
During the meeting, Museveni and Perriello discussed strategies to support the AU’s resolutions and the shared goal of fostering sustainable peace in Sudan.
AU’s Role and Resolutions
In the 1218th meeting of the AU PSC, chaired by Museveni, key resolutions were adopted to address the conflict:
- Condemnation of Violence: The AU strongly condemned the ongoing war and human rights violations, demanding an immediate ceasefire.
- Humanitarian Access: The Council emphasized the need for unhindered humanitarian access to provide aid to affected populations, especially in besieged areas like El Fasher.
- Inclusive Dialogue: Stressing that military solutions are unsustainable, the AU called for a comprehensive political dialogue among all Sudanese stakeholders. An all-inclusive dialogue is set for July 10-15, 2024, in Addis Ababa.
- Protection of Civilians: The PSC mandated investigations into human rights violations, focusing on preventing further atrocities and ensuring civilian protection.
- Formation of a Presidential Committee: Led by Museveni, this committee will facilitate direct negotiations between the SAF and RSF, aiming for a lasting ceasefire and peace agreement.
Envoy Perriello expressed the United States’ support for Uganda’s mediation efforts, reinforcing the importance of a collaborative approach to address the challenges in Sudan.
