Appeal from the African Women Leaders’ Network (AWLN) to the leaders of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)

The African Women Leaders’ Network (AWLN) appeals to the parties to the conflict in Sudan, to disengage immediately to end the tragic loss of lives, particularly of women and children.

The parties have urged them the importance of the dialogue.

“We urge them to return to a dialogue which will result in an end to the peace and humanitarian crisis, beginning with ensuring that civilians are afforded the protections guaranteed under international law and corridors of safety are created to allow further evacuations and distribution of urgently needed aid and assistance.”

Through its Patron, Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, AWLN joins the call of the Emergency Special Session on Sudan convened, on 20 April 2023, by Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of the Africa Union Commission and the appeal of the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, for an immediate ceasefire, which will allow vulnerable populations to seek medical assistance, water, and food.

The African Women Leaders’ Network (AWLN), is a mobilizing and convening platform and a transformative movement of African women, launched in 2017 by the African Union Commission and the United Nations. It mobilizes women across the continent, to address issues affecting the progress of the African Continent, and its women in particular.

The Network aims to strengthen African women’s leadership in transforming the continent, in line with the African Union aspirations in Agenda 2063 and the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Prominent among its six pillars is the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, which advocates for the protection and talks of women in all peace processes, spearheaded by the AU Chairperson’ Special Envoy on Women, Peace, and Security.

AWLN aligns itself with the principles enshrined in the UN and AU legal instruments on human rights, including UN Security Council Resolution 1325.

AWLN wishes to appeal to the two parties for an immediate and durable ceasefire and a political settlement with the participation of women, a pre-requisite for a just and sustainable peace.