African Union welcomes Hamdok-Hillu deal that paves way for separation of religion from state

ADDIS ABABA – The African Union (AU) Commission has welcomed the agreement between Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and chairperson of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) General Abdel Aziz Adam al-Hillu which would pave way for a secular state in Sudan.

This week, Hamdok and Hillu met in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa and signed a declaration of principles which is key in negotiating a separation of religion from the state. Sudan has been government on the basis of Islamic religion supremacy over other religions.

In a statement, the chairperson of the African Union Commission welcomed the signing of the declaration of principles between the two leaders.

“The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat, commends the Sudanese Transitional Government led by H.E. Prime Minister of the Republic of Sudan, Dr. Abdalla Hamdok, and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North led by Mr. Abdalaziz Adam Alhilu, for signing the Principles outlined in the Joint Agreement, on 3 September 2020 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,” the AU statement seen by Sudans Post partly reads.

“The Chairperson is confident that these Principles will strengthen the Peace Agreement initialed by the Sudanese Parties in Juba, South Sudan on 31 August 2020, as an integral part of the Sudan peace process.

“The Chairperson further encourages the Sudanese Parties to maintain the political will and determination, so far demonstrated, to ensure effective implementation of these Agreements,” it added.

The statement further urged holdout opposition group, Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM) led by General Abdel Wahid Nuor who has stayed out of Sudanese peace process under claims that there was no change following the removal of al-Bashir in 2019.

“Furthermore, the Chairperson reiterates his urgent call for the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLA) led by Mr. Abdul Wahid Nur, to engage the Transitional Government of Sudan, to find constructive ways of achieving a stable, peaceful and prosperous Sudan,” it said.

The chairperson of the continental body further reassured the Sudanese parties of the AU’s “continued support and commitment to work with them and international partners, including the United Nations (UN) and Inter-Governmental Authority on Development to end the conflicts in the country, and create a conducive environment for its development.”