A high-ranking delegation from the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee will visit Sudan on Thursday to discuss the political crisis there and the process of transition to civilian rule.
In a statement on Sunday, the European Union said the delegation plans to meet with Sudanese authorities and civil society in Khartoum to discuss the ongoing efforts to ensure Sudan’s transition towards democracy.
The MEPs will also demonstrate their support for the Sudanese people in their struggle for democracy.
The delegation will be led by the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, David McAllister, his deputies and MEPs, as well as the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the EU.
The EU has been participating for some time in the efforts led by regional countries, the United States and Britain to push the Sudanese military and civilian parties to hold talks that would eventually lead to a political settlement that restores the country's transition to a democratic and civilian path.
On September 12, the EU appointed Aidan O'Hara as its ambassador to Sudan.
O’Hara reiterated the EU’s commitment to the genuine, just and peaceful transition to democracy for which the people of Sudan are striving.
He expressed pleasure to work with the EU member states and partners to contribute to any process that can achieve all that the Sudanese people’s aspirations.
Earlier this month, the embassies of several western countries in Sudan and the EU welcomed the Sudanese Bar Association’s (SBA) publication of a draft transitional constitution framework document to achieve a broadly acceptable and inclusive civilian-led government that can put Sudan on a path to democracy and elections.
“No political agreement can be credible or sustainable if it is not inclusive or does not enjoy a wide base of popular support,” the EU stressed in a statement.
It stressed that more work is needed still to ensure any agreement on a transitional arrangement is acceptable to a clear majority of political and social forces.
“No single actor, group, or coalition should have a monopoly on the political process. To move forward, Sudan must come together.”
It denounced the October 25, 2021 military takeover and threatened to suspend its financial aid to Sudan if the army fails to return power to the civilian-led government.
“We emphasize the need for all Sudanese actors—including Sudan’s military—to constructively engage in a political process to restore a civilian-led transition to democracy.”
The EU further reiterated its firm support for the ongoing efforts of the tripartite mechanism (the United Nations, African Union, and Intergovernmental Authority on Development) to help bridge differences among parties and initiatives and to facilitate a restoration of a civilian-led transition to democracy.
