Political blocs warn against attempts to control inter-Sudanese dialogue process
July 21, 2024 (ADDIS ABABA) – Representatives from political blocs and civil society who participated in the preparatory meeting for the Inter-Sudanese dialogue have raised concerns. They warn against perceived attempts by Tagadum, a civilian forces coalition, to dominate the political process.
From July 10th to 15th, discussions regarding the agenda and participating forces for the dialogue were held. However, the AU’s invitation to the formerly ruling National Congress Party (NCP) of the al-Bashir regime, led to a boycott by Tagadum, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) under Abdel Aziz al-Hilu, and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) faction of Abdel Wahid al-Nur.
Following the boycott, the AU’s High-Level Panel on Sudan (HLP-Sudan) rescinded the invitation to the NCP. However, the boycotting groups did not rejoin the initial meeting.
On July 21st, representatives from the first preparatory meeting for the Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue sent a letter to Mohamed bin Chambas, Chairperson of the African Union’s High-Level Panel on Sudan (HLP-Sudan). The letter, seen by Sudan Tribune, expresses concern about repeating the mistakes of the December 5th, 2022 Framework Political Agreement. The disagreement over implementing military arrangements in that agreement ultimately led to ongoing conflict.
The letter emphasizes the need for the HLP-Sudan to “redouble efforts” to prevent past failures. It criticizes Tagadum for allegedly attempting to dominate the dialogue process. They argue this undermines international and regional efforts and risks further instability.
The statement reiterates its support for inclusive participation, excluding only those implicated in war crimes or crimes against humanity, or those explicitly opposed in the 2019 Transitional Constitutional Declaration, a reference to the National Congress Party. Finally, the statement emphasizes the importance of fair participation by all blocs and calls for the African Union, IGAD, and the international community to maintain neutrality and impartiality throughout the dialogue process.
On July 18th, the African Union (AU) announced plans for additional preparatory dialogues. These talks will specifically include groups that did not participate in the initial round of consultations for the Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue.
The AU emphasized the importance of inclusivity in achieving lasting peace. Its statement urged “All Sudanese political and civilian actors to put the supreme interests of their country above all other considerations in working together to stop the war and to return Sudan to constitutional rule, peace, and consensual governance”.