Sudan's army chief holds closed consultations ahead of national dialogue conference

Sudan's army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has held closed consultations with political, civil society groups and figures, reaching agreement on steps to facilitate the convening of a Sudan dialogue conference, according to political sources familiar with the discussions.

The consultations included proposals to drop charges that could carry the death penalty for opposition leaders and to form a preparatory committee for the proposed conference. The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the consultations focused on the need to hold a comprehensive Sudan conference with the participation of key political parties.

The Sudanese army has been in conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023. Participants in the consultations largely agreed on the need for practical steps to create a favorable atmosphere for dialogue, including ending media campaigns against political opponents.

According to the sources, most participants agreed on practical steps such as halting negative media campaigns and suspending criminal charges with death penalty provisions against dozens of people opposed to the army-led Sovereign Council, mainly members of the Somoud coalition, a political group led by former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.

The charges against Hamdok and political figures linked to Somoud include war crimes, incitement to war against the state, and undermining the constitution. Somoud has been accused of supporting the RSF but has consistently denied these claims.

No preconditions

Participants in the consultations agreed on the selection of a preparatory committee for the dialogue conference, comprising independent figures widely accepted with relevant expertise. This committee would determine the composition of participants, agenda, venue, and timing of the conference, as well as invite international and regional parties to monitor.

Hatem al-Sir, an adviser to the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party – Original, said Khartoum is witnessing intensive political activity and ongoing consultations to prepare for intra-Sudanese dialogue, with the support of regional forces.

On social media platform X, al-Sir said General al-Burhan has met with leaders of political blocs, heads of native administration, Sufi leaders, independent national figures, academics, experts, and resistance committees. The meetings focused on strengthening national consensus and achieving a unified national project.

The Quad group, comprising the United Nations, African Union, European Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Arab League, has also attempted to reach an agreement between rival political blocs in Sudan on the structure of the national dialogue, but so far has faced difficulties.

The group's latest round of discussions, which began in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on July 29, failed to bridge differences between Sudanese parties on how to organize the conference. Some political groups, including Somoud, did not attend.

A formal process?

Babiker Faisal, leader of the Somoud coalition, accused the Quad group of reneging on previous agreements regarding the political process. He described the group as “no longer a neutral umbrella” to sponsor dialogue, deviating from the principle of Sudanese ownership of the political process.

In a social media post, Faisal said the Quad recently called for consultations with alliances and individuals, including those “not present on the political scene.” He said the majority of participants represented parties supporting the army, contradicting the Quad's commitment to a political process not dominated by any party to the conflict.

He also accused Sudan's army leadership of seeking to exploit military developments to launch a “formal political process” aimed at consolidating the legitimacy of the government, restoring regional and international recognition, and establishing loyal governance institutions granting the army chief broad powers over a long period.

In a statement on Friday, the Quad said it would continue efforts to advance Sudan's political process through new consultations with civilian forces and stakeholders, seeking to bridge differences and achieve common ground that could pave the way for a Sudanese-led political solution. The group also reaffirmed respect for Sudan's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, rejected parallel governance structures, and called for de-escalation and movement toward sustainable peace through negotiation.

No exclusion

In a separate development, senior figures in the National Congress Party (NCP) – which led Sudan under President Omar al-Bashir until his ouster in 2018 – have criticized General al-Burhan's statement that the party would not participate in the political process.

Last week, al-Burhan said an intra-Sudanese dialogue conference would be held but would not include figures linked to the RSF, specifically the Tasis political group, and the NCP. Hamid Mumtaz, former Minister of Federal Governance and an NCP leader, said placing the NCP on par with forces linked to the RSF is a “catastrophic mistake and a statement detached from the complex political reality.”

Mumtaz said it is unacceptable to place the RSF, which he described as “a rebel militia that seized the state and waged war on the people,” on the same level as the NCP, which he said “mobilized its supporters and grassroots cadres to fight alongside the armed forces to reclaim the state.”

The politician warned against excluding the NCP, citing the example of the ban on Iraq's Ba'ath Party and its catastrophic consequences. He added that any partial political dialogue, or one dominated by any party, would be isolated and fail, not leading to a stable Sudan.