Nairobi, September 01 (Darfur24)
The Sudanese Declaration of Principles forces have rejected the African Union Commission’s endorsement of a Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue initiative in Khartoum, arguing that it risks legitimizing military rule and deepening political divisions.
In a statement, the forces said the initiative was launched by one of the warring parties and is being held in areas under army control and protection, allowing the military to influence its timing, location and agenda.
The 19-member Dialogue Preparation Committee began consultations last Sunday with political, civil and community forces inside and outside Sudan. The committee says it aims to build trust and facilitate agreement on the conditions, guarantees, agenda and format of a comprehensive dialogue.
The African Union Commission welcomed the initiative, saying it could contribute to the AU roadmap and five-party mechanism for Sudan. It stressed that the political process should lead to a unified and sovereign Sudan governed by legitimate civilian institutions.
The Declaration of Principles forces criticized the AU for endorsing the initiative without calling for an immediate humanitarian truce and ceasefire. They also rejected linking it to the five-party mechanism, warning that this could grant political legitimacy to one side of the conflict.
The forces called on the AU to withdraw or amend its statement and said they would consider external support or participation in the Khartoum dialogue as biased toward one of the warring parties.
They instead called for a peace process beginning with an immediate humanitarian cessation of hostilities, followed by transitional political arrangements and a permanent ceasefire under an independent and neutral framework.
The initiative followed Army Commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s announcement in mid-August that he had accepted a proposal for an inclusive political dialogue inside Sudan and would provide legal, political and security guarantees to participants.
Although the committee describes itself as independent, the Declaration of Principles forces argue that Burhan’s endorsement and pledge of official guarantees effectively link the initiative to the army.