Kathmandu— Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has engaged in unannounced consultations with various political and civil society groups in an effort to pave the way for a national dialogue conference, according to political sources familiar with the discussions. The talks, which have been ongoing discreetly, focus on establishing practical steps toward creating a conducive environment for dialogue, including potentially dropping capital punishment charges against opposition leaders and forming a preparatory committee for the proposed conference. These efforts come as Sudan remains embroiled in conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which began in April 2023.

Dialogue Proposals Emerge

The consultations have reportedly yielded agreement on several key proposals intended to foster a more open environment for dialogue. These include suspending criminal charges, such as those related to war crimes and inciting war against the state, currently facing members of the Somoud Alliance – a political grouping led by former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. While Somoud has denied supporting the RSF, they have been accused of doing so. Participants also agreed on the need to halt negative media campaigns targeting political opponents.

International Mediation Efforts Face Challenges

The Quintet—comprising the United Nations, African Union, European Union, IGAD, and Arab League—has simultaneously been attempting to broker an agreement among Sudan’s competing factions regarding the structure of a national dialogue. However, their latest round of discussions in Addis Ababa on July 29 failed to bridge significant differences, with several groups, including Somoud, opting not to participate. Babiker Faisal, a leader within the Somoud alliance, accused the Quintet of deviating from previously agreed-upon arrangements and becoming biased, claiming they were no longer acting as a neutral sponsor.

Concerns Over Inclusivity and Legitimacy

Faisal further alleged that al-Burhan is attempting to leverage military gains to launch a “cosmetic political process” designed to bolster the legitimacy of his authority and secure extended powers. He accused the army leadership of seeking regional and international recognition through this process, while forming governing institutions loyal to them. The Quintet has responded by reaffirming its commitment to an inclusive Sudanese-led political settlement and respecting Sudan’s sovereignty, while also rejecting parallel governing structures.

Exclusion of Former Ruling Party Draws Criticism

Al-Burhan recently announced that the National Congress Party (NCP), which governed Sudan under President Omar al-Bashir until his overthrow in 2018, would be excluded from the dialogue. This decision has drawn criticism from within the NCP itself, with Hamid Mumtaz, a former federal governance minister and NCP leader, calling it “a catastrophic mistake.” Mumtaz argued that equating the NCP with forces aligned with the RSF is inaccurate, emphasizing the NCP’s support for the armed forces in reclaiming the state.

The Quintet has pledged to continue its efforts through renewed consultations with civilian forces and stakeholders, seeking common ground to facilitate a Sudanese-led political settlement. The success of these initiatives remains uncertain amidst ongoing conflict and differing viewpoints among key players.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.