Countries join international unions and economic blocs to boost economic growth, strengthen collective bargaining power and enhance regional security.
Sudan is no exception, with the African Union (AU) and the Arab League among its most significant international memberships. However, the country’s political instability has also affected its participation in international organisations. For example, the AU suspended Sudan’s membership in October 2021 following the military coup, pending the restoration of a civilian-led government.
Major Unions and Blocs
- African Union (AU): A continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). Sudan joined the OAU, the predecessor to the AU, on 25 May 1963, as one of its founding members. Sudan has been suspended from the AU following the October 2021 military coup. www.au.int
- League of Arab States (LAS)/Arab League: A regional organisation of Arab states in and around the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Sudan joined the Arab League on 19 January 1956, just two weeks after gaining its independence. www.leagueofarabstates.net
- COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa): A major regional economic community established in December 1994 to promote trade, regional integration, and sustainable economic growth across 21 member states. Sudan joined the COMESA, preceded by its predecessor, the Preferential Trade Area (PTA), in 1990. Sudan originally joined the Preferential Trade Area (PTA) for Eastern and Southern Africa in 1990, which later transitioned into COMESA in December 1994. Sudan was among the initial nine member states that launched the COMESA Free Trade Area on 31 October 2000. www.comesa.int
Other International Organisations
- United Nations (UN): Sudan officially joined the UN on 12 November 1956, following its admission via General Assembly Resolution 1110 (XI). It is a full member state of the UN. The UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2830 on 9 October 2026, extending the existing Darfur sanctions regime and arms embargo until 11 December 2026. www.un.org
- Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC): the second-largest intergovernmental organisation in the world after the UN. Founded in 1969, the organisation was formerly known as Organisation of the Islamic Conference. Sudan joined the OIC in 1969, as one of the founding member states following the organisation’s establishment in September of that year. Sudan is a full-standing member of the 57-nation organisation, and maintains a Permanent Representative office to the OIC General Secretariat located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The OIC continues to engage with Sudan’s leadership on humanitarian aid, mediation efforts, and regional stability amidst the ongoing conflict. www.oic-oci.org
- Non-Aligned Movement (NAM): An international forum of developing countries that do not formally align with or against any major power bloc. Sudan has historically been a member of the Non-Aligned Movement and regularly engages in its ministerial meetings and summits (such as recent diplomatic engagements at NAM gatherings). Sudan utilises the NAM as an international platform to rally diplomatic support, condemn external interference, and push for specific classifications regarding the ongoing conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). https://nam.go.ug
- World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO): An independent intergovernmental international organisation headquartered in Shanghai, China, established on 31 July 2026 to foster inclusive global artifical intelligence (AI) governance and cooperation. Sudan is a founding member of the WAICO, joining an initial group of 35 founding member states. WAICO aims to promote international cooperation in artificial intelligence by supporting training, knowledge transfer, scientific research, and technological development, with a particular focus on countries in the Global South. The organisation also seeks to advance fair, safe, and inclusive AI governance and strengthen global digital cooperation. www.waio.ai
