Africa: Could the AU's Return to Khartoum Bring Sudan Closer to Peace?

What the report says

The Institute for Security Studies, republished by AllAfrica, says the African Union’s plan to reopen its liaison office in Khartoum could give the bloc a small but meaningful opening to support a ceasefire in Sudan’s war. The analysis, published on 17 August 2026, frames the move as a sign that the AU wants to stay engaged in Sudan rather than leave mediation to outside powers.

According to the report, AU staff were pulled out of Khartoum in April 2023 after fighting began and later operated from Addis Ababa, limiting direct contact with Sudanese actors. The office has a long history in Sudan, including support for earlier peace processes and later political transitions. It was also involved in AU engagement after the 2019 uprising and subsequent coups. The current AU envoy to Sudan, Ambassador Mohamed Belaiche, has been part of recent mediation efforts, including work linked to the AU, IGAD, the Arab League, the European Union and the United Nations.

The article says a physical presence in Khartoum could improve information-sharing, strengthen the AU’s role in talks, and help coordinate broader political dialogue. It also notes major obstacles: the AU will need backing from multiple Sudanese sides, not only the de facto authorities in Khartoum, and it must avoid appearing partisan. Security risks, damaged infrastructure and limited basic services in the capital are also cited as practical concerns.

More broadly, the analysis argues that the AU’s return would matter because Sudan’s conflict has seen repeated stalled negotiations, and the organization’s credibility depends on whether it can act as a neutral mediator with a clear mandate.