Sudan Civil Society Rejects Military-Sponsored Dialogue
Sudanese coalitions warn that a proposed dialogue under military sponsorship lacks neutrality and risks legitimizing the ongoing conflict.
A coalition of Sudanese civil society groups has issued a sharp rejection of a proposed national dialogue sponsored by the country’s military leadership. The groups, including the Darfur Women Platform and Sudan Civic Convergence Tracks, argue that a political process organized under the authority of one party to the war cannot deliver genuine peace or legitimacy.
According to the joint statement, the initiative lacks the neutrality and inclusivity required for a credible national process. Instead, the signatories warn, it risks serving as political cover for the consolidation of de facto authority while civilians continue to bear the brunt of a conflict that has already displaced millions.
Criticism of Military Sponsorship
The coalitions contend that holding talks in territory controlled by the Sudanese Armed Forces undermines the integrity of the process. They assert that a dialogue conducted under the sponsorship of a warring party cannot claim neutrality, thereby deepening political divisions rather than resolving them.
Furthermore, the statement highlights the absence of a safe environment and adequate guarantees for freedom of expression. Without these conditions, large sections of society, particularly those most affected by the war, face exclusion from determining the country's political future.
Exclusion of Key Voices
The groups insist that meaningful participation by internally displaced people, refugees, women, and youth is essential for any credible transition. They argue that a process which marginalizes these key stakeholders cannot legitimately speak for the nation.
The statement also criticizes the potential inclusion of forces associated with the former regime, such as the National Congress Party. Allowing their participation, the coalitions warn, could facilitate the political rehabilitation of entities they hold responsible for igniting the current crisis.
Call for Neutral Process
While rejecting the current proposal, the signatories maintain that dialogue remains essential. However, they emphasize that such engagement must not substitute for ending the war or legitimize realities imposed by force.
According to GN auto geopolitics/africa: Sudan conflict reporting, the groups call for a comprehensive, nationally owned process held in a neutral location. This should include an immediate humanitarian truce and comprehensive political negotiations supported by regional and international engagement.
