AU Return to Post-War Khartoum Gains Momentum in Sudan

An AU delegation led by Special Envoy Mohamed Belaiche arrived on Sunday to assess conditions for reopening its office in Khartoum. The visit follows a 3-year absence that displaced diplomatic and humanitarian operations, during which operations were relocated due to conflict.

Belaiche said the mission aims to evaluate on-the-ground conditions as a precursor to reopening “as soon as possible,” indicating a shift from contingency operations back to capital-based engagement.

The AU move comes days after United Nations agencies began returning to Khartoum, marking a coordinated institutional transition. Activities had been managed from Port Sudan since the outbreak of conflict.

Sudanese Foreign Minister Mohieddin Salem said the government’s return to Khartoum was immediately followed by several UN organizations, reinforcing a broader normalization of administrative functions.

Salem stated that conditions in Khartoum are now stable, with basic services restored. Authorities have worked to reestablish water, electricity, education, and health systems since March 2025, when the army regained control of Khartoum State from UAE-backed RSF.

Salem added that the government is ready to support the AU’s return, offering logistical and administrative assistance to facilitate the reopening process.

Officials point to the return of displaced residents and the revival of markets as indicators of improving conditions. The restoration of essential services and governance structures suggests a gradual recovery of urban functionality.

The reopening of the AU office would mark a significant step in Sudan’s reintegration into continental diplomatic frameworks. It also signals confidence among African institutions in the evolving security and governance environment.