Sudan’s Somoud alliance and Communist Party to join AU-led talks

December 3, 2025 (CAIRO) – Sudan’s Civil Democratic Alliance of Revolutionary Forces, known as Somoud, and the Sudanese Communist Party said on Tuesday they would join African Union-led consultations aimed at resolving the country’s political crisis.

The talks, scheduled for Dec. 16–18 in Djibouti, are part of broader efforts by the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to bridge divisions among Sudanese factions and pave the way for a political process.

Somoud spokesperson Bakry Eljack told Sudan Tribune the alliance would participate in discussions on forming a preparatory committee to launch inter-Sudanese dialogue. The aim, he said, is to establish a framework to end the war and agree on a national transition to civilian rule.

Eljack said the proposed transition would include steps ranging from a humanitarian truce to a permanent ceasefire.

The Sudanese Communist Party also confirmed its participation, with conditions. Saleh Mahmoud, the party’s Secretary for External Relations, said it had requested separate meetings with the AU, IGAD, the European Union, and the United Nations.

Mahmoud criticized the international response to Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, which he said had been delayed for three years, and warned against any externally imposed settlement that disregards Sudanese interests.

Somoud had boycotted previous AU consultations in October, citing objections to the inclusion of groups linked to the ousted regime and calling for broader representation of independent civil forces.

Pro-military factions have opposed Somoud’s involvement, accusing it of backing the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), though the RSF has formed its own political alliance, named Tassis.