The spokesperson of the European External Action Service (EEAS) supported, on Thursday evening, 6 June, the decision taken earlier in the day by the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council to suspend Sudan from AU activities until the effective establishment of a transitional civilian authority.
This decision “establishes clear criteria for the restoration of a peaceful and credible political process in order to address the legitimate aspirations of the Sudanese people”, the spokesperson said in a statement. “Negotiations with the Forces for Freedom and Change towards a civilian-led Transitional Authority need to resume on the basis of agreements reached so far”, they argued.
In addition, according to the EEAS spokesperson, the EU joins the AU in calling for an immediate end to the violence and a credible investigation into the events of recent days. On Monday 3 June, violent repression reportedly killed more than 100 people (see EUROPE 12267/26).
The spokesperson also recalled that all individuals detained on political grounds, including rebel leader Yasir Arman, must be released, and those reported missing must be immediately accounted for.
Finally, they said that the African Union's request not to allow external powers to interfere in the process of resolving the current crisis must be followed through without delay. In this context, the AU could take punitive measures against individuals and entities that obstruct the establishment of a civilian-led Transitional Authority, the EU noted.
At the end of February, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy threatened the country with sanctions (see EUROPE 12205/13). (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)