The African Union (AU) delegation arrived in the country on Sunday to finalize arrangements for reopening its permanent office in the capital, Khartoum. The visit, led by AU Special Envoy Mohamed Belaiche, marks the continental bloc’s first major step toward resuming a permanent presence in the capital since the conflict erupted three years ago.
This move follows a similar pivot by United Nations agencies, which began relocating their operations from Port Sudan back to Khartoum earlier this week. Special Envoy Belaiche met with Foreign Minister Mohieddin Salem in Port Sudan to discuss the logistical and security frameworks required for the return.
Speaking to reporters after the briefing, Belaiche emphasized that the delegation’s primary objective is to assess conditions on the ground as a necessary precursor to a full-scale reopening. He noted that they are there to evaluate the evolving situation and ensure that the transition back to the capital is both safe and sustainable for staff and operations.
Foreign Minister Salem briefed the delegation on the government’s efforts to stabilize Khartoum State since the Sudanese Army regained control in March 2025. According to the Minister, the restoration of essential services—including water, electricity, and healthcare—has been the catalyst for a steady return of displaced residents and the revival of local commerce.
He told the delegation that the capital is stable and basic services are once again available to citizens, citing the return of the United Nations headquarters as a clear indicator of the progress made in restoring order.
The AU’s return is seen as a vital endorsement of Sudan’s stabilization efforts. During the discussions, Minister Salem affirmed the Foreign Ministry’s full readiness to facilitate the AU’s return by providing all necessary security and administrative assistance.
While challenges remain, including the presence of unexploded ordnance in some eastern neighborhoods and rising living costs, the return of international bodies like the AU is expected to bolster recovery efforts and centralize the delivery of humanitarian aid.
The timeline of these events highlights a rapid shift: after the initial conflict forced international bodies to flee to Port Sudan in April 2023, the restoration of services began following the army’s reclamation of Khartoum in March 2025. This culminated in the UN officially reopening its Khartoum headquarters on April 2, 2026, leading directly to the African Union delegation’s arrival on April 5, 2026, to conduct their final security assessment.
