AU-IGAD delegation consults civilian stakeholders on Sudan’s political process
July 17, 2023 (CAIRO) – A joint delegation comprising representatives from the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) convened meetings with Sudanese political and civilian groups on Monday and Tuesday.
The primary focus of these discussions was initiating a political process to end the ongoing conflict and establish new constitutional arrangements to reinstate civilian governance.
On Monday, the three-member delegation met with the Democratic Bloc and allied groups in Cairo, while on Tuesday, they met with the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC).
In a statement released after the meeting, the FFC said the discussions focused on “developments in the situation in Sudan and ways to end the war and reach sustainable peace.”
The FFC said that both sides presented their visions for a political process to end the war and their efforts in this regard. The coalition reiterated to the AU-IGAD delegates that it seeks to establish an inclusive dialogue process with the participation of all political groups, except for the National Congress Party of deposed President Omar al-Bashir and its facades.
The FFC also stressed that the political process should address the root causes of the war and develop lasting solutions to prevent the recurrence of armed conflict in Sudan. The process should also ensure justice for victims, lead to democratic change, and create a single professional army.
A fierce war broke out between the army and the Rapid Support Forces on April 15, 2023, spreading across large areas of the capital, Khartoum, and the states of Kordofan and Darfur amid fears that it would spread to other states.
The Democratic Bloc forces said their meeting on Monday agreed on the “principles that constitute a basis for dialogue between the Sudanese parties, provided that the solution to the crisis begins with a ceasefire.”
The meeting also called on the warring parties to adhere to the agreement signed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in addition to accelerating the delivery of humanitarian aid before launching the political process.
The bloc also stressed the need to form a mechanism that includes the United Nations, the African Union, IGAD, and the League of Arab States to lead the process and prevent external interference in Sudanese affairs.
The African Union was represented in the delegation by Mohamed Al-Hassan Labbad and Mohamed Belaish, while Ismail Weiss represented IGAD.
Recent reports have mentioned Saudi-American mediation efforts to include the African Union and IGAD in the Jeddah platform. The mediation is currently suspended after the army negotiating team withdrew on July 27, demanding the withdrawal of paramilitary forces from Khartoum and all urban areas in Darfur.
The war has caused the displacement of over 5.6 million people from their homes. The conflict has been accompanied by the destruction of infrastructure and the commission of grave violations against civilians, including forced displacement, occupation of their homes, killings, rape, arrests, and intimidation.