A major gathering of Sudanese political forces and civil society groups opposed to the ongoing war has ended in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with participants rejecting a national dialogue proposed by army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
The groups said they would neither participate in the proposed dialogue nor recognise any conclusions emerging from the process, arguing that it cannot deliver lasting peace while fighting continues across Sudan.
Opposition Questions Burhan’s Dialogue Plan
The participants said a credible political process must begin with an effort to end the war and address the humanitarian crisis.
They particularly criticised the exclusion of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti, from the proposed talks.
The opposition groups argued that excluding one of the main parties to the conflict would make it difficult for any dialogue to produce a comprehensive settlement.
Former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok also stressed that there could be no credible peace process without an end to the fighting.
Fears of Further Political Division
Participants accused Burhan of using the proposed dialogue to strengthen and legitimise his authority following the 2021 military coup.
They warned that proceeding with a dialogue without broad participation could deepen Sudan’s political divisions and make efforts to end the conflict even more difficult.
The meeting brought together representatives of several Sudanese political movements and civil society organisations, including members of the National Congress Party, the Umma movement and the Summud peace coalition.
Sudan’s War Continues
Sudan has been engulfed in a devastating conflict between forces loyal to Burhan and the RSF since April 2023.
The fighting has killed large numbers of people, displaced millions and created a severe humanitarian crisis.
Repeated diplomatic initiatives have so far failed to secure a lasting ceasefire, while both sides continue to accuse each other of atrocities and violations.
The Addis Ababa meeting highlights the growing disagreement over how Sudan’s political future should be determined.
For the opposition groups, the priority is an inclusive peace process capable of ending the fighting rather than a dialogue they believe could legitimise one side of the conflict.
