Sudan army chief drops charges against politicians returning for internal dialogue

September 1, 2026 (PORT SUDAN) –  Sudan’s military leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has issued a decree dropping state-initiated criminal charges against Sudanese politicians abroad who return to participate in an internal dialogue initiative.

The decision was announced on Tuesday by Justice Minister Abdalla Darf, who said the measure was in response to requests from the preparatory committee for the Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue to provide written legal guarantees.

Under Decree No. 363 of 2026, all public-right complaints filed by state authorities against Sudanese citizens abroad regarding actions or political opinions expressed will be formally dismissed.

The decree grants returning participants temporary procedural immunity, barring any criminal action against them from the time they enter Sudan until a sufficient period after the consultations conclude.

The order also provides legal protection against prosecution for any statements, views, or positions articulated during the sessions.

The decree follows an announcement made by Burhan on August 14, in which he pledged government backing for legal, political, and security guarantees to enable an inclusive intra-Sudanese dialogue proposed by an independent mechanism. In that address, Burhan stated that the government would facilitate the process and remain outside criminal proceedings, without shaping the agenda or dictating the talks’ outcomes.

Darf reiterated that the state’s role would remain strictly confined to providing security, logistical facilitations, and legal protections to safeguard the independence of the talks.

Several anti-war civilian groups and political coalitions have expressed scepticism over the military-backed initiative, questioning whether credible talks can take place while fighting between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continues across the country.