Khartoum, August 31 (Darfur24)
A Sudanese group has launched an independent national initiative aimed at creating conditions for Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue and facilitating preliminary consultations among political, civil and community forces, to support efforts to end the war and restore stability and state unity.
In a statement read at a press conference attended by some of its members, the initiative welcomed the state’s willingness to provide a safe environment for dialogue inside Sudan and the initial guarantees it has proposed.
However, it said the guarantees must be clear, written, verifiable and open to consultation and further development with the relevant parties.
The initiative called for the suspension of reports filed by state agencies against Sudanese citizens living abroad who return to the country to participate in consultations or dialogue, where such reports are related to political activities or opinions. It also called for the suspension of any charges arising from those reports.
It further called for temporary procedural immunity for participants, preventing criminal proceedings from being initiated against them from the time they enter Sudan until their departure after completing their participation.
Among the proposed guarantees are creating a broader environment of freedoms that allows Sudanese citizens to express their views on the dialogue inside and outside formal venues, protecting consultation and dialogue venues, and preventing state institutions from influencing the outcomes.
The initiative said its role would be limited to creating a conducive environment and listening to the parties regarding the conditions for any comprehensive dialogue to be held inside Sudan and led by Sudanese.
During the current phase, it plans to build confidence and facilitate preliminary consultations with political, civil and community forces inside and outside Sudan. It will gather concerns, expectations and proposals from the different parties and work to narrow differences ahead of developing a consensus agenda with the participation of stakeholders.
The initiative did not clarify its position on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allies. The Sudanese army has rejected negotiations before the RSF withdraws from cities and concentrates its forces in designated locations.
Several political forces have also rejected calls for dialogue, warning against initiatives that could undermine Sudan’s unity or entrench military rule. They have also opposed the participation of the Islamic Movement in political arrangements concerning the country’s future governance.