Sudan's Al-Burhan Backs Dialogue but Vows to Continue Fighting RSF

Sudanese army commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has signaled support for an inclusive dialogue among political and civil factions, approving an initiative to bring together diverse Sudanese voices. This move comes amid the ongoing conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Al-Burhan, who also chairs the Transitional Sovereignty Council, stated on Friday, the 72nd anniversary of the Sudanese Armed Forces, that a group of citizens presented a vision for an independent national mechanism to prepare for such a dialogue. He aims for a comprehensive national consensus to guide the country toward stability. Al-Burhan pledged to provide necessary guarantees for the talks, facilitate participation, and ensure safety, emphasizing that the state would not dictate the dialogue's participants, agenda, or outcomes. He clarified that any state actions against participants would involve suspending criminal proceedings, offering temporary immunity to foster participation. However, al-Burhan firmly stated that the army would not accept an "incomplete peace" that reinstates the RSF. He vowed to continue fighting to "cleanse the country from the terrorist militia," setting conditions for peace that include RSF forces withdrawing from cities to designated areas and the return of displaced populations. The Democratic Bloc welcomed al-Burhan's announcement, viewing it as a significant step toward a political resolution, provided the process is managed internally by Sudanese parties.

“

In light of this troubled political reality, a group of Sudanese citizens took the initiative to present their vision to work as an independent national mechanism to prepare for an inclusive Sudanese dialogue, with the goal of reaching a comprehensive national consensus that puts the country on the path to stability.