AU gives Sudan military 15 days to hand over power to civilians

SUDAN POWER STRUGGLES 

SUDAN - The African Union (AU) has given the Sudanese military 15 days to hand over power to civilians. 

AU says the recent overthrow of an elected Government led by President Omar Al Bashir, does not conform with aspirations of the 2000 African Union Constitutive Act.

According to a communiqué issued yesterday by the AU Peace and Security Council, any breach of the 15-day ultimatum by the Sudanese military, will mean automatic expulsion of Sudan from all AU activities.

"The AU Peace and Security Council demands that the Sudanese military steps aside and hands over power to a transitional civilian-led political authority, in accordance with the will of the people and constitutional order, within a maximum period of fifteen (15) days from the date of the adoption of the present communiqué, failing which, Council will automatically apply Article 7(g) of its Protocol, in particular the suspension of the participation of the Sudan in all AU's activities until the restoration of constitutional order," the AU communique noted.

On April 11, the Sudanese military toppled Bashir following months of protest by the public over high prices of basic commodities such as bread and high cost of living.

Following the military takeover, the defense minister, Lt. Gen. Awad Ibn Auf, announced the suspension of the Constitution, the dissolution of the National Assembly, the formation of a military-led transitional government, which would rule for two years, and the arrest of President Bashir, as well as the imposition of a state of emergency for three months.

However, Gen. Awad, also resigned, following public pressure, and handed over to Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan Abdelrahman, the head of the ruling military council.

During the 840^th meeting on the situation in Sudan, the AU Peace and Security Council condemned the seizure of power by the Sudanese military and their plan to lead the transition for two years.

The African Union has also appealed to "all the AU partners and the international community at large, to support ongoing efforts, within the context of the present Communique, in the search for a peaceful solution in Sudan on the basis of the AU principles and instruments, while respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Sudan."