AU re-admits Sudan

The AU has lifted its suspension of Sudan's membership in the bloc, ending a three-month freeze that had been in place pending the installation of a civilian-led government after the removal of long-term President Omar al-Bashir. Friday's move came after Sudan's newly appointed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok formed his first Cabinet as part of a three-year transitional power-sharing agreement between the military, civilian parties and protest groups. Al Jazeera reports that Sudan's Foreign Ministry hailed the decision, saying 'we use this great occasion to reaffirm our commitment to the goals and objectives of the African Union'. Sudan's membership was suspended in June following the violent dispersal of a major protest site in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, during which opposition medics said dozens of people were killed in a standoff between the ruling military council and civilian opposition.