African Union calls for final talks on Sudanese political dialogue

January 30, 2025 (ADDIS ABABA) – The African Union (AU) has invited Sudanese political groups to final talks on launching a wider political dialogue aimed at resolving the country’s ongoing crisis, sources said on Thursday.

The consultations are expected to be held in mid-February in Addis Ababa, immediately after the AU Summit concludes, the sources added.

The meetings are intended to finalize the results of previous discussions held in recent months to prepare for a broader dialogue among Sudanese stakeholders.

The AU held extensive consultations in July and August 2023 as part of a comprehensive political process aimed at paving the way for dialogue between the various Sudanese parties.

Invitations signed by Mohamed Ibn Chambas, head of the AU High-Level Panel on Sudan, have been sent to several political parties, sources familiar with the matter told Sudan Tribune.

Participants in the second round of talks held in August included the Coordination of Civilian Democratic Forces (Tagadum), the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu, the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Abdel Wahid Mohamed Nur, and the Sudanese Ba’ath Party.

The first round in July saw participation from more than 20 blocs, parties, civil society, and youth groups, most of which support the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). These included the Democratic Bloc led by Jaafar al-Mirghani, the National Movement Bloc led by Tijani Sisi, and the National Accord Bloc led by Mubarak al-Fadil al-Mahdi.