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April 25, 2019

2 min read

AU meets in Sudan, Libya

AU meets in Sudan, Libya

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After its threats to suspend Sudan if the country's military does not hand over power to a civilian authority in 15 days’ time from April 15, African Union (AU) meets in Egypt, with Sudan topping the agenda followed by Libya. AU’s concern has been that a military led transition would be completely contrary to the aspirations of the people of Sudan. Sudan’s military council took over power after toppling of President Omar al Bashir earlier this month and civilians have been protesting, calling for the council to stand aside for a civilian administration, but the military council is not budging. The AU Chairperson, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi earlier called for articulate regional response as protests went on in Khartoum even though the president was toppled earlier this month. In his opening remarks at the summit, Sisi said the “principle of African solutions to African problems is the only way to deal with common challenges facing us.” He advised Sudanese political actors to safeguard the state institutions so as to work against a “slide into chaos,” also calling for international community to shoulder the pressing economic burden created by Sudan’s challenges. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates have pledged a 3 billion dollars in financial support for Khartoum. In this summit which Lesotho will be represented by AU ambassador, Chadian President Idris Deby, Rwandan Paul Kagame, Denis Sassou-Nquesso of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mohamed Abdullah Mohamed of Somalia, Republic of South Africa (RSA) Cyril Ramaphosa, and Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djiboutis are attending. Explaining why the Prime Minister (PM) is not going to be part of the summit, Press officer in the PM’s office, Thabo Thakalekoala said the AU ambassador may be the one to represent the mountain kingdom because the PM has some important activities lined up for the week. He however could not clarify what the activities are, but mentioned that among other things the PM will be going to Thaba-Tseka on Thursday. He lamented that the summit’s focus will be on Sudan and Lybia so Lesotho does not have any particular role to play. Lybia has not known peace in recent years despite the depose of its former slain president, Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 and recently fresh fighting flared near the capital Tripoli between pro-government forces and fighters from the east of the country. Lena

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