Communiqué of the 840th meeting of the PSC on the situation in Sudan

UNION AFRICAINE

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PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 840™ MEETING 15 APRIL 2019

ADDIS ABABA

PSC/PR/COMM.(DCCCXL)

COMMUNIQUE

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council at its 840^th meeting held on 15 April 2019 on the situation in Sudan,

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling the relevant provisions of the July 2000 AU Constitutive Act, the July 2002 Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (Article 7 (g)) and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance;

Also recalling Decisions AHG/Dec.l41(XXXV) and AHG/Dec.l42(XXXV), adopted by the 35^th Ordinary Session of the OAU Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Algiers, Algeria, from 12 to 14 July 1999; the Declaration on the Framework for an OAU Response to Unconstitutional Change of Government, adopted by the 36^th Ordinary Session of the OAU Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Lome, Togo, from 10 to 12 July 2000 (the Lome Declaration); and the Solemn Declaration of the 50^th OAU/AU Anniversary adopted in Addis Ababa on 25 May 2013;

Further recalling its previous press statements and communiques, including press statement PSC/PR/BR.(CDXXXII) adopted at its 432^nd meeting held on 29 April 2014, on 'Unconstitutional Change of Government and Popular Uprisings in Africa - Challenges and Lessons Learnt', in which Council reiterated its total rejection of unconstitutional changes of government; also recalling communique PSC/AHG/COMM.1(CCVII) adopted at its 207^th meeting held in Abuja, Nigeria, on 29 October 2009, in which Council affirmed its support to the democratic transformation in Sudan;

Noting the statement bythe Permanent Representative ofthe Federal Republic of Nigeria to the African Union, H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the PSC for the month of April 2019, and the briefing given by the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, H.E. Ambassador Minata Samate-Cessouma, as well as the statement made by the Representative of the Republic of Sudan;

Recognizing the legitimate aspirations of the Sudanese people to the opening of the political space in order to be able to democratically design and choose institutions that are representative and respectful of freedoms and human rights;

Expressing deep concern over the situation in Sudan following the military takeover of power on 11 April 2019 and its impact on the country, the region and the Continent, in a context where Sudan already faces challenges;

Reiterating the AU's solidarity with the people of Sudan and reajfirming its commitment and readiness to continue to support Sudan during this period, in line with the relevant AU instruments and principles.

Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council:

1. Endorses the Statement on the situation in Sudan issued by the Chairperson of the Commission, on 11 April 2019 which, among others, express the AU's conviction that the military

PSC/PR/COMM. (DCCCXL) Page 2 take-over is not the appropriate response to the challenges facing Sudan and the aspirations of its people;

2. Deplores the announcement of the then First Vice President and Minister of Defence, Lt. General Awad Ibn Auf, on the suspension of the Constitution, the dissolution of the National Assembly, the formation of a military-led transitional government, which would rule for two years, and the arrest of President Omar Al Bashir, as well as the imposition of a state of emergency for three months, as constituting a coup d'Etat, which Council strongly condemns.

3. Affirms that the overthrow of the democratically elected President does not conform to the relevant provisions of the July 2005 Sudanese Constitution and, therefore, falls under the definition of an unconstitutional change of Government as provided for in the AU instruments mentioned above;

4. Reiterates AU's condemnation and total rejection of any unconstitutional change of government or any takeover of power by military;

5. Underscores the urgent need for a rapid resolution of the current crisis based on respect for constitutional order and reflecting the aspirations of the people of Sudan, within the framework of the relevant AU instruments. In this regard, Council:

1. strongly condemns and totally rejects the seizure of power by the Sudanese military and its plan to lead the transition for two (2) years;

2. reaffirms the imperative of a civilian-led and consensual transition in Sudan, it being understood that a military-led transition would be completely contrary to the aspirations of the people of Sudan, as well as to the relevant AU instruments;

3. demands that the Sudanese military step aside and hand over power to a transitional civilian-led political authority, in accordance with the will of the people and constitutional order, within a maximum period of fifteen (15) days from the date of the adoption of the present communique, failing which, Council will automatically apply Article 7(g) of its Protocol, in particular the suspension of the participation of the Sudan in all AU's activities until the restoration of constitutional order;

4. underlines that the transitional civilian authority to be installed, should ensure an inclusive and consultative process involving all Sudanese political actors and stakeholders, to agree on the modalities, duration, leadership and content of a civilian-led and consensual transition, which will lead to the holding, as quickly as possible, of free, fair and transparent elections; and

5. urges the Sudanese military to refrain from any act or statement that would further complicate the situation in the country and negatively affect regional security and stability.

6. Calls on all Sudanese leaders to exercise calm and utmost restraint and to respect the rights of citizens, foreign nationals and private property in the interest of the country and its people, and appeals to all Sudanese political actors continue working towards national reconciliation in order to contribute to a smooth preparation for elections leading to a return to constitutional order;

7. Acknowledges the critical role of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in the promotion of peace, security, stability and cooperation in the region, in particular in finding solution to the challenges already facing Sudan;

8. Requests the Commission to continue to monitor closely the evolving situation and the transition process in Sudan, including through periodic evaluation missions, and to provide all necessary support to the completion of the transition process;

9. Further requests the Chairperson of the Commission to take appropriate measures, to ensure the implementation of this Communique, to facilitate the resolution of the current crisis and the building of a consensus on the way forward among the Sudanese stakeholders, within the civilian-led transition process;

10. Also requests the Chairperson of the Commission to report to Council by 30^th April 2019, on the evolution of the situation and the implementation of the present Communique;

11. Urgently appeals to all the AU partners and the international community at large, to support ongoing efforts, within the context of the present Communique, in the search for a peaceful solution in Sudan on the basis of the AU principles and instruments, while respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Sudan;

12. Decides to remain seized of the matter.