Sudan pushes to regain full African Union membership after 2021 suspension
Although Sudan has pursued diplomatic channels with the African Union, the bloc has stressed that full reinstatement depends on concrete progress toward civilian-led governance, including credible elections.
Sudan is pushing to regain full membership in the African Union (AU), aiming to end its suspension from the bloc’s decision-making and activities.
At a Kampala symposium on Tuesday, Sudan’s ambassador to Uganda, Ahmed Ibrahim, highlighted that rejoining the AU could help the country address its internal and regional challenges independently, reducing reliance on foreign actors.
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The symposium, organised jointly by the Pan African Movement and the Sudanese embassy in Kampala, focused on Sudan’s current situation and the country’s diplomatic efforts to regain influence within the AU.
“Accelerating Sudan’s return to the African family would prevent the foreign interference and, at the same time, pave the way for African solutions to African problems,” Ahmed said.
He similarly called on Uganda, particularly President Yoweri Museveni, to support Sudan’s efforts, stressing the importance of collaboration with respected African leaders in facilitating a smooth return.
“We are expecting an effective effort of Uganda as a friendly state, particularly President Yoweri Museveni, as a respected African leader, to support and realise the restoration of Sudan’s activities in the African Union,” Ahmed said.
Sudan was suspended from the regional bloc after the military, led by General Abdel Fattaal Burhan, seized power in October 2021, overthrowing a civilian‑led transitional government.
The AU’s Peace and Security Council responded by blocking Khartoum from all AU engagements until civilian authority is effectively restored, making the reinstatement conditional on progress toward a democratic transition.
“The Council strongly condemns the seizure of power by the Sudanese military on October 25, 2021 and the dissolution of the Transitional Government, and totally rejects the unconstitutional change of government, as unacceptable and an affront to the shared values and democratic norms of the AU,” the Council declared at the time.
“In line with the relevant AU instruments, in particular, the AU Constitutive Act, the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, to suspend, with immediate effect, the participation of the Republic of Sudan in all AU activities until the effective restoration of the civilian-led Transitional Authority.”
Although Sudan has pursued diplomatic channels with the AU, the bloc has stressed that full reinstatement depends on concrete progress toward civilian-led governance, including credible elections.
While some member states, including Egypt, have backed efforts to review Sudan’s suspension, the AU maintains that political stability and an inclusive transition process are crucial for the country’s return to full participation.
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