The African union (AU) has
always struggled to achieve peace, stability and prosperity in Africa. AU the
inter-governmentalorganization (IGO) came in to being on 9 July 2002 in Durban
city of South Africa.The purpose of establishment of AU is to replace
Organization of African Unity (OAU), currently there are 55 member states in AU.
The Organization works on number of objectives: however it focuses on resolution
of conflicts, establishes peace, engages peacekeeping force in its member
states, establishes democracy, gives freedom of expression, promotes human
rights, and increases socioeconomic development in African continent, It also
struggle to achieve its aims like fostering unity, development, cooperation,
among its member states and forwarding the interest of African peoples. If draw
the focus towards the history of Sudan we come to know that; Republic of Sudan
was under the control of Egypt in 19th century, but in late 19th century It has
gotten the status of condominium state where Egypt and Britain collectively
ruled on Sudan till it’s independence in 1956. Republic of Sudan situated in
northeast of Africa, sharing border with seven states and connecting with Red
sea the busiest shipping route of world, blessed with precious elements
including : oil reservoirs, gold mines but despite of these all it always
engulfed by coups and deadly civil wars.
Here mentioning some major coups which were happened in Sudan and the role of
AU, the first military coup was happened on17 November in the year of 1958 which
was headed by General Ibrahim Abboud, this coup was launched order to handle the
civilian government and economic instability in the country. General Ibrahim
Abboud suspended constitution, dissolved parliament and established military
government. When Sudan started to move forward for prosperity it again squeezed
by powerful coup on 25 May 1969 which was launched by Colonel GaafarNimeiry
against the civilian government, economic instability, political instability,
and functionalism. He suspended constitution, dissolved parliament and led the
foundationof Revolutionary Command Council for National Salvation (RCCNS). In
the end of twentieth century again the powerful coup was happenedagainst the
President Colonel GaafarNimeiry on 6, April 1985, the coup was directed by
General Abdul RehmanSuwar al- Dahab on the mismanagement, economic instability,
and human rights abuses; At last the coup resulted into establishment of
Transitional civilian government. On 30, June 1989 Colonel Bashir overthrew the
transitional civilian government due to dissatisfaction with political and
economic condition in Country, established the (RCCNS) and implemented Islamist
agenda. AU did not declared any response on coups and emergencies, uprisings,
and conflictstill the end of twentieth century because it was established in
2002. Now forwarding towards coups and civil war of twenty first century which
were happened in Sudan, The Civil war of Darfur was first and deadly civil war:
which had started in year of 2003 and ended in 2020. The region of Darfur is in
western part of country. Darfur is Arabic word which meansthe land of “Fur”
peoples.
The residents of Darfur are non-Arab Africans, they are real residents of
country who have been living for thousands of years, but now they remained as a
minority group with total 30% population of country. On the other hand there are
Afro-Arabs who were migrated from neighboring states when Sudan was under the
control of Britain andthey are in majority with total 70% population and held
all powers of state. The main reason of agitation of conflict is that the sense
of deprivation and marginalization arose in the minds Furs (Person who lived in
Darfur), and this agitation gave birth to various rebel groups against
government and establishment namely Sudan liberation movement, Justice and
equity. Their groups were highly active in conflict.AU seriously condemned the
situation and deployed the African Union Mission (AIMS) order to manage the
situation, set the peace negotiations, and safeguard civilians. In month of
December 2018 the widespread protests of civilians happened against the long
authoritarian governance of President Al Bashir, in the result AU took the
notice on situation and ordered for peaceful resolution of conflict. In the wake
of military coup inyear of 2019 head of Sudanese armed forces named as General
Abdel Fattah Al- Burhan overthrew the government of Al Bashir and became a De
facto head of state, in the result AU suspended the membership of Sudan and
ordered for civilian transitional government, AU engaged the stakeholders in
negotiations from Sudan for implement of successful and peaceful civilian
transition government.
Current conflict has started on 15 April 2023 between leaders of Rapid supports
force named as Muhammad HamdanDagalo and Sudanese armed forces named as General
Abdel Fattah Al- Burhan.If we see this situation in another context so we come
to know that there is struggle of power between two factions of country,Leader
of RSF wanting a democracy in country and Burhan wants to continue his
government. And how Burhan can the General of Sudanese army down his knees in
front of para military group?If conflict will not resolve immediately it
willlead to never ending phenomenon. In regard to conflict of Sudan AU is super
vibrant. On 17 Aprilthe organ of AU the Peace and Security Council (PSC) call
for an urgent meeting in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) where head of organization urged
stakeholders andregional countries to make efforts for peace and transition
government, it was stated that external involvement in conflict will not be
forgiven.On 2 May 2023 meeting was held by PSC in which it was discussed that
the International community must help Sudan to sort out its challenges. Again
the third meeting held between PSC and UN Security Council, in meeting it was
discussed that AU is the road to resolution of Sudan crisis, with struggle of AU
there will be peace in Sudan. It also demanded SAF and RSF to resolve conflict
immediately.
The various challenges has been faced by union to achieve peace, prosperity,
development and stability in Sudan. AU has numerous aims and objectives on which
it works and always struggle to achieve those. Coups in Sudan driven due to
economic instability, political unrest, and issues in governance. However Sudan
always face risks and challenges: which can analysis through current conflict
between two military leaders and this conflict again stopping country from
progress of democracy and stability. It will best for AU, stakeholders and
neighboring states to actively engage in conflict order to reach it on peaceful
resolution, immediate dialogue and table talk between parties will prevent
country from protracted conflict.