State Lodge, Hill Station, Freetown, Friday 21 June 2024 – His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio addressed the African Union Peace and Security Council Heads of State and Government-Level virtual meeting on the situation in the Republic of Sudan. He called for an immediate and unified response from his colleagues.
The meeting was organized under the leadership of His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda and Chairperson of the African Union Peace and Security Council for June 2024, and His Excellency Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and Chairperson of the African Union.
President Bio congratulated the Chairperson on assuming responsibility to direct the work of the African Union Peace and Security Council for June 2024. He pledged his delegation’s unwavering support throughout this tenure. The President thanked him for convening this crucial meeting on Sudan's situation, stressing its grave concern to all involved.
He reminded attendees that they spoke not just as leaders but as custodians of peace, stability, and Africa’s collective future. “Sudan is facing profound challenges that demand our immediate and unified response," he said. "Excellencies, the situation in Sudan has reached a point of grave concern, igniting the world’s largest displacement and fastest unfolding crisis."
"The enduring conflict spanning over a year has inflicted untold suffering upon the Sudanese people," President Bio continued. "Hundreds have died, thousands injured; millions are displaced or forced into refuge."
As a global champion of education, he highlighted how many in Sudan lack access to healthcare or education. Reports indicate increasing sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls by belligerents in the conflict.
President Bio emphasized that shortages in food, clean water, fuel, electricity, and medicines remain dire due to ongoing armed conflict. He warned that continued hostilities could lead to complete collapse with spillover effects on neighboring countries.
He urged conflicting parties—the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces—to halt hostilities immediately. Drawing from Sierra Leone's experience with conflict impacts on social fabric and development, he expressed solidarity with Sudan's people.
“We must leverage our collective wisdom," he stated. "It is imperative we support mediation efforts while providing humanitarian assistance.” He called for collaboration with AU (African Union) and IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) to achieve cessation of hostilities leading towards a comprehensive peace deal vital for Sudan’s long-term stability.
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