THE African Union (AU) made a new push to bring about a ceasefire in the Sudan civil war that has been raging since April 2023.

A delegation began a two-day visit on Sunday in an attempt to secure a ceasefire, improve humanitarian access and revive a political process to end the war which has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions with the involvement of major regional powers.

The AU peace and security council (PSC) delegation arrives at a difficult point in the war. 

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), supported by Egypt and Saudi Arabia, have regained control of much of the capital, Khartoum, while the United Arab Emirates-backed Rapid Support Forces (RSF) remain entrenched across much of Darfur in western Sudan. 

Kordofan, the region linking central, western and southern parts of the country, has become another major theatre for fighting.

The AU has repeatedly called for an inclusive, Sudanese-led political process because stopping the fighting alone would not resolve the crisis that preceded the war.

Sudan’s transition after the 2019 overthrow of long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir collapsed amid disputes between civilian groups and the military. 

In October 2021, the military dissolved the civilian-military power-sharing arrangement, deepening tensions over the country’s future. 

The war began in April 2023 after months of rivalry between the SAF and RSF over the proposed transition to civilian rule.

The AU has been involved in Sudan diplomacy since the beginning of the war. 

In May 2023, the PSC adopted a roadmap calling for a permanent and inclusive ceasefire, humanitarian access, civilian protection and a return to a credible political transition.

The SAF and RSF signed commitments in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in May 2023 on civilian protection, a short-term ceasefire and humanitarian arrangements. But those agreements failed to stop the fighting.