AU criticizes external interference in security issues

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — The African Union Commission has condemned all forms of external interference in African countries facing security crises, with particular reference to the conflict in Sudan.

Bankole Adeoye, AU commissioner for political affairs, peace and security, said the AU must lead any peace negotiations on the continent, underscoring the principle of African solutions to African conflicts.

"We, as the African Union, do not believe anyone should be interfering in or fueling the crisis that is already ongoing in parts of the African continent," Adeoye told reporters on Tuesday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. "So we condemn unequivocally all forms of external interference in Sudan or in any part of our continent."

The AU must play a central role in identifying structural solutions and securing sustainable peace amid Africa's complex security challenges, he said.

Noting that the continuing conflict in Sudan caused "appalling" humanitarian crises, he said the AU is working to end the conflict by facilitating political dialogue between all parties.

"We are working relentlessly to make peace happen in Sudan and our goal is not just a humanitarian ceasefire. It is a comprehensive, unconditional, and all-out ceasefire," he said.

In an interview with Agence France-Presse, UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said atrocities in Sudan's Darfur region have been met with indifference and "complete impunity".

"The world has not given enough attention to the Darfur crisis. There is too much indifference and apathy to the massive suffering that we've witnessed there," he said.

Fletcher was speaking to AFP in N'Djamena, Chad, following a visit to Darfur just across the border, where last month the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces seized the army's last regional stronghold of El-Fasher.

Fletcher, who met witnesses and survivors of the violence, condemned what he called "a sense of complete impunity behind these atrocities".

Regarding Madagascar, Commissioner Adeoye said the island nation is experiencing relative peace as the AU's Panel of the Wise engages with authorities to help restore constitutional order.

"We are hoping and calling on Madagascar to come up with a credible road map to undertake a genuine political transition and bring about constitutional order," he said.

Adeoye also welcomed the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed between the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the March 23 Movement rebel group.

"All these agreements really mean a lot to the African Union and the African Union has been a partaker of these processes. We commend our partners who have been working with us to make peace happen in eastern DR Congo," he said.

Xinhua - Agencies