The five-party mechanism on the Sudanese crisis, consisting of the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the League of Arab States, the European Union, and the United Nations, announced a new agreement aimed at supporting a comprehensive, Sudanese-led political path to end the conflict that has been ongoing in the country for more than three years, and to create avenues for a settlement that rebuilds the state and curbs the accelerating humanitarian deterioration.
Addis Ababa meetings and progress in drafting
The mechanism stated in its communiqué that consultations held in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, between the third and fifth of June resulted in notable progress in preparing an initial framework for a comprehensive Sudanese political dialogue. It clarified that these meetings were a continuation of the efforts of the Berlin conference held last April, which was attended by a number of Sudanese political and civil actors as part of international and regional efforts to accelerate the political process after a long period of stagnation.
Proposal to form a preparatory committee
Discussions during the sessions focused on proposals to establish a preparatory committee tasked with organizing a broad national dialogue aimed at addressing the roots of the Sudanese crisis amidst the ongoing fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces since April 2023. The mechanism described the meetings as “complex but constructive,” noting the exchange of drafts and proposals among all parties, with the expectation of completing the dialogue in the next phase to reach a common ground that is feasible.
Launch of a comprehensive national dialogue
The five-party group affirmed that the outlines of the new political framework are gradually taking shape, which will enable the launch of a comprehensive national dialogue that includes broader representation of political and societal forces, while ensuring the building of a credible political process capable of ending the conflict and establishing sustainable peace.
Clear stance on Sudan’s sovereignty
In a notable statement, the mechanism emphasized its full respect for Sudan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, rejecting any attempts to create parallel entities or alternative governance structures, considering that such steps could lead to the disintegration of the state and deepen internal divisions. It called on all regional and international parties to support efforts for de-escalation and to provide the appropriate conditions for resuming the political process, warning that the continuation of fighting exacerbates the humanitarian crisis, which the United Nations has described as among the worst globally, amid the displacement of millions and the deterioration of living and service conditions.
