Lack of consultations raises concerns over AU political process on Sudan
July 8, 2024 (ADDIS ABABA) – A member of the Democratic Civil Forces Coordination “Tagadum” revealed insufficient consultations between the Coordination and the African Union High-Level Panel on Sudan in preparation for the upcoming preparatory meeting for the political process scheduled for next Wednesday.
The African Union High-Level Mechanism on Sudan is organizing a meeting for Sudanese political forces from July 10th to 15th, aimed at paving the way for a comprehensive conference to end the war and initiate a political process to establish the foundations of a transitional period leading to the restoration of democratic rule in the country.
Concerns have been raised among various Sudanese political forces regarding the African Union Commission’s intention to include Islamist forces linked to the former regime in this political process, fearing it may impede efforts to establish a secular system of government.
Shahab, a Tagadum representative, informed “Sudan Tribune” on Sunday that the invitation received from the African Union indicates the meeting’s “preparatory” nature, intended to finalize the agenda and participating parties. However, he emphasized the lack of adequate consultations thus far.
“Unfortunately, consultations have been insufficient, and there is no agreement on the parties or the approach yet,” Shahab stated. “Tagadum objects to the invitation approach and the selection of the parties.”
Echoing these concerns, Al-Hadi Idris, the deputy head of the coordination, expressed their desire for the African Union-led political process to be built on solid foundations.
“We met with an African Union delegation and have some reservations about the meeting scheduled in Addis Ababa,” Idris commented. “While we believe in the African Union’s role in mediation and ending the war, we must ensure a sound beginning that effectively stops the war with accountable parties.”
A recent statement by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-Democratic Revolutionary Current disclosed the participation of the dissolved National Congress Party in an African Union-organized consultative meeting for Sudanese women in Kampala, Uganda. The meeting aimed to select women representatives for the upcoming preparatory meeting, which the movement boycotted in protest against the presence of the party’s representative, Amira Al-Fadil.
African Union official told to Sudan Tribune under the cover of anonymity that the preparatory meeting, scheduled for July 10th to 15th, faces an uncertain future following reservations expressed by the Tagadum regarding the arrangements.
Both African Union and Tagadum sources confirmed to Sudan Tribune that the coordination was not informed about the meeting’s program, participants, agenda, or various arrangements to be agreed upon.
According to an African Union official, 60 individuals were invited to attend the meeting, which will discuss the political process, its timing, agenda, parties, and schedule. However, the “Tagadum” Coordination did not receive the full list of attendees.
Tagadum Coordination also confirmed to Sudan Tribune that the coalition objected to the confirmed participation of certain individuals in the meeting.
The sources added that the coalition’s lack of knowledge about the final list of participants has caused apprehension and raised concerns about a repeat of the women’s meeting experience in Kampala, where figures affiliated with the dissolved National Congress Party were present.
RDC rejects meeting
RDC has announced a boycott of the upcoming meeting, mirroring their stance on the Cairo meeting. The decision stems from the absence of a clear mechanism to address the political process and establish clear foundations, principles, and a sound methodology for its management.
Ahmed Al-Siyadi, the official spokesperson for the Revolutionary Current, emphasized in a Monday statement the critical need to link the cessation of war as an urgent matter with the December Revolution, and to connect the civilian and military tracks, while prioritizing the protection of civilians and the provision of humanitarian aid.
Al-Siyadi further stated, “This necessitates the participation of the military and prevents the political process from being dominated by forces that support the war and oppose the December Revolution.”