Did the AU Really Condemn the Attack on Sudan's Key Port City?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The AU strongly condemns the attack on Port Sudan.
- The attack threatens civilians and humanitarian efforts.
- Port Sudan is a crucial hub in the ongoing conflict.
- Immediate ceasefire and dialogue are urged by the AU.
- Conflict has caused severe humanitarian crises in Sudan.
Addis Ababa, May 6 (NationPress) The African Union (AU) has strongly condemned the recent violent attack on Port Sudan, a pivotal city in Sudan that has remained one of the few relatively stable areas amid the ongoing conflict in the nation.
In an official statement, the AU expressed deep concern and dismay regarding the violent assault on this eastern Sudan port city. The AU described the attack as a dangerous escalation in the ongoing conflict and a direct threat to the lives of civilians, humanitarian access, and regional stability.
Serving as a vital logistical and humanitarian hub during the prolonged unrest in Sudan, Port Sudan is crucial, according to reports from Xinhua news agency.
The 55-member continental organization cautioned that any aggression directed at this city undermines ongoing efforts to stabilize the country.
Reaffirming its strong commitment to civilian protection in Sudan's two-year conflict, the AU strongly denounces all actions that disrupt peace initiatives, hinder humanitarian operations, or target critical infrastructure.
The AU has also called for an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of inclusive political dialogue under African leadership. It urged all parties involved in the Sudan conflict to adhere to international humanitarian law, ensure safe humanitarian access, and commit to peaceful resolution.
Media reports indicate that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) executed a drone strike on a military air base and other facilities near Port Sudan International Airport on Sunday. This incident marks RSF's first assault reaching Port Sudan.
Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, triggered by tensions related to a planned political transition. This conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, over 15 million displaced individuals, and a humanitarian crisis labeled as one of the world's worst by the UN.
The AU, through its High-Level Panel on Sudan, has been actively engaged in facilitating dialogue and mediation between the warring factions in Sudan. It also backs various national, regional, and international peace initiatives aimed at resolving the lethal conflict.