Former Vice President of Uganda, Specioza Kazibwe, has been appointed as a member of the African Union (AU) high-level panel tasked with restoring peace, constitutional order, and stability in Sudan. Kazibwe, along with two other eminent African personalities, will play a crucial role in addressing the ongoing conflict and turmoil in the country.
The announcement was made through a statement dated January 17, 2024, by the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat. The other panel members include Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the AU High Representative for silencing the guns, and Francisco Madeira, former Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission.
Mahamat emphasized that the appointment is effective immediately and is in line with the AU Peace and Security Council’s conclusion and the AU’s commitment to establishing peace and stability on the continent. The new panel is instructed to collaborate with Sudanese stakeholders, both internal and foreign, including civilian forces, military factions, and regional and global actors such as the UN, IGAD, and the League of Arab States.
The conflict in Sudan, which began on April 15, 2023, has resulted in significant human suffering, with thousands killed, tens of thousands injured, and millions internally displaced or forced to flee the country as refugees. The ongoing violence, primarily between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has led to a dire humanitarian crisis.
As of December 19, 2023, the United Nations reported over 12,000 casualties and 33,000 injuries, while more than 5.8 million people were internally displaced, and 1.5 million others sought refuge outside Sudan. Women, particularly, are at heightened risk of sexual assault due to the lack of security.
The chaos has also resulted in casualties among humanitarian workers, attacks on journalists, and numerous human rights violations. International attempts to negotiate a ceasefire, including the Treaty of Jeddah, have proven ineffective, intensifying the need for a comprehensive and inclusive peace restoration process.
Kazibwe and her fellow panel members are expected to play a pivotal role in addressing these pressing issues and facilitating a swift restoration of peace and stability in Sudan.
