Trilateral mechanism is resolved to launch intra-Sudanese dialogue despite rejection: Perthes

June 4, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – The head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) confirmed the determination of the trilateral mechanism to launch direct intra-Sudanese dialogue within days, despite the rejection of some groups.

The African Union, IGAD and UNITAMS envoys plan to convene a direct dialogue in Khartoum between the Sudanese stakeholders to solve the political crisis. They have to agree on a mechanism to choose the prime minister, his cabinet, and its programme, in addition to preparing for elections.

Speaking to the Sudan Tribune in the margins of a function of the trilateral mechanism organized on Thursday, Volker Perthes confirmed that the three envoys are resolved to launch soon direct talks between the Sudanese parties.

“We will invite all the actors, and if a party decline to participate, we will respect its decision,” he stressed.

The UNITAMS head further underscored that the United Nations and his person would not interfere in the decisions that the parties take.

“If the Sudanese agree on Mohamed as a Prime Minister, or choose Fatima for this position, we will welcome and support their choice,” he added.

The Sudanese Communist Party and the Resistance Committees refuse to participate in the dialogue process organized by the tripartite mechanism. They demand that the military hand over power to civilians.

While the Forces for Freedom and Change announced that their participation depends on the implementation of confidence-building measures including the end of violence against demonstrators, release e  of political detainees, and lift of the state of emergency.

For their part, the coup leaders say they would hand over power to a civilian government if the political forces reach an understanding over the transitional period.

No date has been officially announced for the direct dialogue meeting. Some media reported that the meeting would take place on Wednesday.

In a related development, the State Department said on Saturday that Molly Phee U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs would fly to Sudan from June 5-9 to support the inter-Sudanese process to resolve the ongoing crisis.

Phee will “urge (the political forces) to seize the opportunity offered by the UN-AU-IGAD-facilitated process to restore the transition to democracy and economic stability, and to advance peace”.

(ST)