Sudan's PM Al-Ta'aishi Urges AU Impartiality as Khartoum, Riyadh Establish Coordination Council

August 20, 2026 — Days after the African Union Peace and Security Council delegation's Aug 16 visit to Khartoum, Sudan's civilian Prime Minister Mohamed Hassan Osman al-Ta'aishi sent an official letter to the PSC urging it to act independently and 'in a balanced manner with all Sudanese parties,' warning against normalizing either the 2021 military coup or the 2023 war. Separately, Khartoum and Riyadh announced the establishment of a new bilateral coordination council, deepening Saudi engagement on the Sudan file alongside the AU's push for an inclusive political process and Burhan's proposed national dialogue. Reporting also noted a further group of RSF fighters defecting to government-held Northern State.