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July 15, 2024 (Addis Ababa) – In a significant development, participants in the preparatory meeting for the intra-Sudanese political dialogue hosted by the African Union and IGAD have formally excluded the former ruling National Congress Party (NCP) from participating in the post-war political process.
The decision was reached at the end of the first preparatory meeting, which brought together about 20 different groups from political blocs, political parties, civil society and youth.
Participants agreed that the first phase of the dialogue will focus on key issues such as achieving a ceasefire, promoting humanitarian assistance, and establishing a transitional framework. The second phase plans to delve into broader issues of nation-building, including building a country based on the principles of citizenship, democracy, justice, and sustainable peace. Ensuring human rights for all citizens and reforming state institutions are also key priorities.
The closing session was delayed by disagreements over condemning the Rapid Support Forces and their international backers and forming a caretaker or technocratic government, but consensus was reached on a final statement and agenda following discussions with the African Union’s special envoy to Sudan, Mohamed Belache.
Mubarak al-Dor, a prominent leader of the Democratic Bloc, clarified that the dialogue was intended to be inclusive, excluding only individuals facing legal charges or convictions, especially those linked to genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes. This implicitly included the National Congress Party, which was dissolved and banned under the Constitutional Declaration.
The meeting focused on ending the ongoing conflict, implementing the Jeddah Agreement and launching direct negotiations to unify and reform Sudan’s security sector. Participants also expressed strong support for the unrestricted provision of humanitarian assistance, especially to the Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan, which was severely affected by the disaster.
In his opening speech, Mohamed Chambas, head of the AU High-Level Panel on Sudan, said the five-day preparatory meeting was aimed at promoting goodwill and dialogue among Sudan’s political factions and civil society groups. He stressed that the meeting was part of a broader effort to peacefully resolve the conflict in Sudan and paved the way for inclusive dialogue within Sudan. Chambas reiterated the AU’s commitment to non-interference in internal affairs and said that the agenda and topics of the meeting were entirely decided by the participants.
Chambas said the meeting was one of a series of consultations with other Sudanese political and civil forces that were unable to attend the meeting. He mentioned the Taqaddum Alliance, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North led by Abdul Aziz Al-Hilu and the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdul Wahid al-Nour, who boycotted the meeting in protest against the participation of the National Congress Party.
Chambas stressed that a military solution to the Sudan crisis is not feasible and that continued fighting will only lead to more suffering and loss of life. This sentiment was echoed by IGAD Special Envoy to Sudan Lawrence Kobandi, who in his closing remarks stressed the urgent need to continue efforts to achieve stability. Kobandi confirmed that engagement will continue with those countries that did not participate in the preparations for the first round of dialogue.
Kobandi warned that the conflict had spread to previously safe areas, displacing thousands of people, and reiterated his call for unconditional negotiations between the warring parties. He expressed serious concern about the escalating situation in Blue Nile state, calling it “extremely dangerous” and at risk of further violent conflict.
The South Sudanese diplomat described the humanitarian crisis as severe and on the verge of total collapse, noting that aerial and shelling have greatly exacerbated the plight of the Sudanese people. He called for a comprehensive conference to resolve political differences, end the war and prevent the country’s total collapse, stressing the importance of involving political and civil actors in the search for solutions.
Kobandi warned international and regional partners against a spate of uncoordinated initiatives, noting that this lack of cohesion, coupled with existing political divisions, further exacerbated an already complex situation.
In a related development, the Coordinator of the Preparatory Meeting, Ambassador Noureddine Satti, acknowledged that differences had arisen among participants, but that they had been resolved amicably, culminating in a successful closing meeting and the issuance of a unified final statement.
Sati stressed that the participants jointly determined the vision, agenda, timetable and participants for the dialogue, as well as strategies for gaining international and regional support.
(English stone)
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