Addis Ababa, August 24 (Darfur24)
Sudanese anti-war political and civil forces announced their rejection of army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s call for a national dialogue to be held inside Sudan, saying the proposed process could legitimize the war and military rule.
The forces, which include the Declaration of Principles Forces, the Popular Congress Party, the Umma Party, civil society organizations, and women’s and youth networks, announced meetings held in Addis Ababa on Saturday and Sunday.
In a joint statement, they said what was being promoted as a ‘dialogue‘ did not constitute a genuine peace process capable of ending the war.
They said peace processes should begin with a cessation of hostilities for humanitarian purposes, followed by transitional security and political arrangements and negotiations aimed at securing a permanent and sustainable ceasefire under an independent and mutually agreed framework.
The groups said they rejected Burhan’s invitation to prevent what they described as the division of Sudan and the legitimization of war, authoritarianism and military rule.
They accused Burhan of seeking political legitimacy for his authority, arguing that the proposed dialogue was intended to provide political cover for its continuation during the war rather than create a path towards ending the conflict.
The forces said they supported an inclusive peace process beginning with a humanitarian cessation of hostilities, followed by transitional arrangements and a permanent ceasefire negotiated on an equal basis between military and civilian parties.
They said the process should aim to end the war and humanitarian crisis, address the root causes of Sudan’s conflict, preserve the country’s unity and restore the goals of the December Revolution through broad public participation.