African Union Delegation Arrives in Sudan to Push for Ceasefire and Humanitarian Access

A delegation from the African Union (AU) has commenced a two-day field visit to Sudan, aiming to advance ceasefire efforts, enhance humanitarian access, and restart political negotiations to resolve a devastating war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions over the past three years. The AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) is actively engaging with Sudanese authorities and conflict stakeholders to address aid delivery and peace prospects following a mission approved earlier this year.

The diplomatic push comes at a critical juncture in the conflict. While the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have reestablished control over significant portions of Khartoum, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) remain deeply entrenched across vast areas of Darfur. Meanwhile, Kordofan has emerged as a critical battleground connecting the country's central, western, and southern regions. Although the SAF's recent advances have altered the military balance, neither faction has secured a decisive advantage, leaving the AU attempting diplomacy while both sides still hope to improve their battlefield standing.

What is the AU trying to achieve?

The PSC is pursuing closely aligned objectives: compelling the SAF and RSF to agree to a ceasefire, expanding humanitarian access, and safeguarding a political framework to shape Sudan's future beyond the warring factions. Emphasizing an inclusive, Sudanese-led political process, the AU maintains that halting hostilities alone cannot resolve the systemic crisis that preceded the outbreak of war.

Sudan's democratic transition unraveled following the 2019 removal of longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir due to friction between civilian leadership and the military. The fragile civilian-military power-sharing arrangement was dissolved by the military in October 2021, escalating tensions. The current war ultimately erupted in April 2023 following months of competition between the SAF and RSF regarding the transition to civilian governance.

The AU faces a complex dual challenge: de-escalating violence sufficiently to facilitate humanitarian relief and peace talks, while ensuring any ultimate settlement avoids becoming merely a power-sharing pact between two armed groups.

Where does the war stand?

Although the SAF's recapture of Khartoum bolstered its dominance across central Sudan, the RSF's setbacks in the capital did not constitute a total defeat. The RSF remains a formidable fighting force controlling major territories in Darfur. Kordofan's strategic geography—bridging rival-held zones and supply corridors—highlights the ongoing intensity of the conflict, particularly around el-Obeid, as both factions vie for logistical supremacy.

This military stalemate complicates diplomatic efforts, as neither side perceives a compelling incentive to compromise when total victory remains theoretically attainable.

Why have previous efforts failed?

The AU has maintained a diplomatic role since the conflict began, adopting a roadmap in May 2023 that advocated for a permanent ceasefire, humanitarian access, civilian protection, and political transition. Despite commitments signed by the SAF and RSF in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in May 2023, the fighting persisted. Subsequent missions by the PSC to Cairo and Port Sudan in October 2024 faced similar obstacles.

The primary barrier has not been a lack of diplomatic initiatives, but rather the reluctance of warring factions to compromise amidst ongoing expectations of battlefield gains. Broader international mediation has involved the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the United Nations (UN), and the United States and Saudi Arabia through the Jeddah process, prompting repeated calls from the AU for unified international coordination.

Dennis Amachree, a former deputy director of Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS), noted to Al Jazeera that the AU's effectiveness is constrained by a lack of enforcement tools, financial leverage, and a standby military force.

Can this visit break the deadlock?

Benjamin Dowmoh-Doyen of the African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP) described the AU visit as a positive step toward an African-led resolution. However, security analyst Kabir Amadu, founder of Beacon Consulting Limited, warned that the conflict has generated widespread exhaustion rather than resolution, urging the AU delegation to translate the battlefield stalemate into lasting diplomatic momentum before Sudan faces permanent partition.