African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf expressed concern over deteriorating security, political, and humanitarian situations in the Sahel region.
In a joint media briefing on Wednesday with Massad Fares Boulos, U.S. senior advisor for Africa, at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, the chairperson of the 55-member continental organisation said terrorist groups are expanding attacks against military installations and civilian properties in the Sahel region which includes Mali, Niger, Chad, Eritrea, and Mauritania.
“The security situation in the Sahel is very much worrying,” the chairperson said while calling for concerted action and support from the neighboring countries to address the security challenges in the region.
He raised alarm over the continuation of terrorist attacks and the surge in fatalities, as well as the socio-economic challenges which have continued to affect the peace, stability and development of the region.
Speaking on the security situations in other parts of the continent, Youssouf said the AU remains engaged to fight Al Shabaab, a militant group in Somalia, highlighting that the United Nations Security Council resolution 2719 is the most predictable and sustainable source of funding to the AU led peace support operations in that country.
The AUC chairperson called for the establishment of a civilian-led transitional government in Sudan, urging all Sudanese stakeholders to play a constructive role in ending the conflict in the country.
He urged all Sudanese stakeholders to step up efforts toward a peaceful, civilian-led, and inclusive transition that will meet the interests of the Sudanese people, highlighting Sudanese-led dialogue will help holistically address root causes of the conflict in the country.
“The African Union continues to engage Sudanese stakeholders to reach a ceasefire and support the Sudanese led dialogue that would help end the war, organize elections and enable civilians to govern the country,” Youssouf said.
Reiterating AU’s firm commitment to championing African solutions to challenges in the continent, the chairperson has called for ceasefire and consensual transition in Sudan.
Sudan has been embroiled in a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since mid-April 2023.
The fighting has so far killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions, both internally and across borders, deepening the country’s humanitarian crisis.
MG/as/APA