Khartoum, September 02 (Darfur24)
Sudanese pro-peace forces have submitted a formal memorandum to the African Union Peace and Security Council and the Commission for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, protesting the AU Commission’s support for a Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue initiative launched by Army Commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
The memorandum, signed by the Sudanese Declaration of Principles Forces, the Umma Party, the Popular Congress, civil society organizations, women’s and youth networks, and public figures, was submitted Tuesday.
The groups accused the AU Commission of taking a position that contradicts the priorities of the African Peace and Security Council, particularly its calls for a humanitarian truce and comprehensive ceasefire.
They also argued that supporting a dialogue launched from territory controlled by one side of the conflict contradicts the AU’s previous position on Sudan and risks deepening the country’s political and geographical divisions.
The groups said any political process must prioritize ending the war, addressing the humanitarian crisis, ensuring broad Sudanese participation and maintaining full Sudanese ownership of the process.
They called on the Peace and Security Council to seek clarification from the AU Commission, ensure the bloc’s neutrality and coordinate the various international mediation efforts within a unified framework.
The Sudanese-Sudanese Dialogue Committee, which began consultations in Khartoum last week, said its role is limited to facilitating consultations and building trust. It has stressed that the dialogue will be Sudanese-led and that state institutions will provide protection and logistical support without influencing its agenda or outcomes.
The Justice Ministry has also announced legal guarantees for Sudanese citizens abroad who return to participate in the dialogue, including protection from politically motivated criminal proceedings.