Democratic Bloc rejects dialogue with Tasis alliance as Addis talks open
June 3, Addis Ababa — Leaders of Sudan’s Democratic Bloc reaffirmed on Wednesday their organisation’s refusal to engage in any political dialogue with the RSF-led “Tasis” alliance, as exploratory talks between Sudanese civilian and political forces opened in the Ethiopian capital under the auspices of the Quintet mechanism.
Mubarak Ardol, assistant to the Democratic Bloc’s chairman, told a press conference held just before the meeting convened that the delegation attending represents the Bloc officially and received formal notification from the organisation’s leadership. He said the Bloc remains committed to dialogue as the only way out of the crisis, describing the current moment as an appropriate opportunity despite differences in positions.
“The Bloc’s position on the Tasis alliance is well known, particularly given the violations committed in Sudan because of it,” Ardol said, closing the door on any engagement with the RSF-affiliated political body.
He acknowledged internal disagreements within the Bloc on the question of participation, but insisted its structures remain unified and said a consensus position would be reached, including with members who have declined to attend.
Sally Zaki, another assistant to the Bloc’s chairman, said the time has come for dialogue to take place inside Sudan rather than abroad, criticising what she described as an excessive number of initiatives and meetings on the Sudanese issue that have yet to yield results. She said the proliferation of initiatives has complicated the crisis rather than resolved it.
Zaki reaffirmed the Bloc’s categorical rejection of sitting with any “parallel government” working to divide Sudan. She said 11 organisations within the Bloc are represented at the meeting.
Bloc spokeswoman Nidal Hisham said the decision to participate and the nomination of the 13-member delegation was approved by Bloc chairman Jafar al-Mirghani and SLA leader Minni Arko Minnawi. She said the international community’s role is to facilitate rather than control the dialogue, and that Sudanese dialogue must ultimately take place inside the country and include all parties except those proven to have committed crimes.
A delegation from the Tasis alliance is expected to arrive in Addis Ababa to participate in the talks, which aim to narrow differences between Sudanese political forces.