Addis ababa: Sudanese Foreign Minister Muhi al-Din Salem Ahmed has reiterated his appeal for the African Union (AU) to lift the suspension of Sudan's membership in the organization. Speaking at a session of the African Union's Peace and Security Council in Addis Ababa, Salem stated that the conflict in Sudan has concluded.

According to Anadolu Agency, Salem emphasized that war is not the objective and that the Sudanese government remains committed to achieving lasting peace. He accused unnamed foreign entities of exacerbating the conflict in Sudan and criticized the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for illegally exploiting gold resources in regions under their control.

In a statement to Al Jazeera, Salem highlighted Sudan's vital role in protecting the African continent from external threats, particularly foreign armed interference. He argued that reinstating Sudan's membership would benefit Africa, noting that Sudan is a founding member of the AU.

The Sudan Tribune, referencing Sudanese diplomatic sources, reported that Sudan plans to formally request the AU's Peace and Security Council to restore its membership. The AU had suspended Sudan in October 2021 following the dismissal of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok's government by Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the declaration of a state of emergency. The suspension was to remain until a civilian-led transitional authority was reinstated.

Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a violent conflict between the army and the RSF, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths, the displacement of approximately 13 million people, and one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, as reported by the UN.