Sudanese factions reject Addis Ababa peace talks

KHARTOUM, Sudan - Sudanese conflict could be prolonged after factions allied to the two main protagonists — Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) rejected the Addis Ababa peace talks, which could inflict suffering on millions of people affected by the ongoing war.

The two factions have accused the African Union of sidelining key stakeholders in the ongoing peace consultations, noting that they will not recognize the outcome of the gathering, adding that any meaningful talks must be inclusive.

The political consultations, facilitated by the AU in the Ethiopian capital, concluded on Friday without reaching a consensus. The discussions are part of wider regional and international efforts to resolve Sudan’s ongoing crisis.

The Sudanese army has dismissed the outcome, arguing that they lack merit and fairness. The army accuses the African Union of failing to invite key stakeholders to the meeting before the solution was reached.

“The failure to invite several major forces in the political arena represents a regrettable oversight that limits the chances of success of this initiative and raises questions about the extent of the African Union’s commitment to the principles of neutrality and inclusiveness in addressing the Sudanese crisis,” read the statement.

RSF has also gone ahead to form a parallel government in Nairobi, a move that has been rejected by the groups allied to the Sudanese army, which has since described the move as criminal and unwanted.

The signatories further called for a fair and balanced representation of all active political and social forces to ensure an inclusive and effective dialogue process. They emphasized the need to rectify the current consultation process to allow for non-selective participation, which they argued would enhance confidence in any proposed solutions.

“The mechanism for coordination and consultation within the African Union must be reviewed to guarantee a dialogue environment that truly reflects the Sudanese reality and is free from exclusion or bias toward any party,” the factions urged.

The factions also made it clear that the outcomes of the Addis Ababa consultations do not represent their vision and will not be binding on national political and societal forces. They insisted that any political solution must be rooted in a comprehensive Sudanese-led process that prioritizes national unity and the interests of all citizens, the Eastleigh Voice reports.

GAROWE ONLINE