French envoy urges international quintet to back Sudan dialogue process

October 18, 2026 (KHARTOUM) — France’s special envoy to Sudan, Jean-Marie Safa, on Sunday urged an international five-party mechanism to support an internal dialogue process aimed at ending the country’s devastating conflict.

Speaking to reporters during a visit to the preparatory committee’s headquarters in Khartoum, Safa called on the international community, particularly the quintet mechanism, to speak with one voice in support of an inclusive national political process.

The quintet mechanism comprises the United Nations, the African Union, the Arab League, the European Union, and the regional Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

The preparatory committee, an officially backed independent body, has been holding consultations with political parties and civil groups to lay the groundwork for talks inside Sudan, though it has yet to secure support from factions demanding an immediate halt to hostilities.

Safa said he held fruitful, candid discussions with committee members without restrictions, aimed at rebuilding trust among Sudanese actors.

“The Sudanese people are peace-loving, and the language of dialogue must prevail over weapons,” Safa said.

He added that to ensure the conflict is Sudan’s last, participants must draw lessons from past failures and rebuild a civilian state serving all citizens.

Safa stressed that the aspirations of Sudan’s popular revolution remained stronger than the war, highlighting the vital role of women and the need to preserve the country’s territorial integrity.

On Oct. 13, Sudanese Foreign Minister Mohieddin Salem urged the French envoy to help forge renewed bilateral ties between Khartoum and Paris based on transparency, integrity, and mutual respect for facts.

Safa assumed his duties as France’s special envoy for Sudan and the Horn of Africa in late August.