On February 12, 2026, during the 39th Annual African Union (AU) Summit, the Peace and Security Council (PSC) reaffirmed Sudan’s membership suspension and noted key steps needed to move towards peace in the country. Sudan’s membership was initially suspended in October 2021 after Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan dismissed then Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and declared a state of emergency in Sudan.

Since April 2023, tens of thousands of Sudanese people have been killed, and 13 million have been displaced from their homes due to the violent conflict between its Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The UN Human Rights Office reported that the acts committed by RSF acts have amounted to war crimes.

The PSC condemned the ongoing violence and confirmed that Sudan’s suspension will remain in place until a civilian-led transitional authority is fully restored. Although Prime Minister Kamil Idris proposed a ceasefire monitored by the UN, the AU, and the Arab League, the AU did not accept the proposal.

The AU’s decision was driven by the severe humanitarian crisis that millions of Sudanese citizens are currently going through. Citing Article 4 of its communiqués to the PSC, which demands that the supreme interests of Sudan be prioritized, calls for the full restoration of a democratic system and the respect of Sudanese citizens’ interests. Sub-Committees on sanctions will coordinate with officials to identify state or non-state actors providing military, financial, or political support and prevent further escalation.

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