An African Union delegation that visited Sudan this month did not discuss lifting the country’s suspension from the continental body during talks with military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, according to AU sources cited by Sudan Tribune.
A delegation from the African Union Peace and Security Council, headed by Algerian Ambassador Mohamed Khaled, visited Khartoum on August 16 and 17 and held meetings with senior officials, including Burhan and Prime Minister Kamil El-Tayeb Idris.
Sources familiar with the visit said the discussions focused on the war in Sudan and implementation of resolutions adopted at the latest AU summit, rather than on restoring Sudan’s membership rights.
The African Union suspended Sudan in October 2021 after the military takeover that removed the civilian-led government of then-prime minister Abdalla Hamdok.
Under the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, member states that undergo an unconstitutional change of government can face automatic suspension and other measures.
According to the sources, the PSC delegation’s mission was primarily intended to assess the conflict and engage Sudanese stakeholders.
The AU Peace and Security Council in February called for the reopening of its liaison office in Sudan to strengthen engagement with Sudanese actors and provide technical support.
The council also backed a field mission to consult key stakeholders and requested updated reporting from AU institutions on alleged human rights abuses linked to the conflict.
Sources in Addis Ababa said the delegation did not enter into substantive political negotiations with Burhan during the visit.
Burhan and officials from the administration he established in May 2025 presented proposals for restarting a political process, the sources said.
Sudanese officials reportedly insisted that any process should first require an end to what they described as the RSF rebellion and the withdrawal of Rapid Support Forces fighters from civilian facilities and state institutions.
The AU delegation, however, reminded Sudanese officials that the current authorities emerged from the October 2021 military takeover, according to the report.
Delegation members said any decision to lift Sudan’s suspension would depend on tangible progress toward restoring democratic governance and reaching broader national consensus.
Khartoum also presented a roadmap beginning with a ceasefire, followed by an inclusive Sudanese dialogue aimed at paving the way for a civilian government and eventual general elections.
The AU delegation did not formally endorse the proposal but agreed to include it in a broader assessment to be submitted to the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government.
