Sudanese Forces Agree on Vision for Peace and Democratic Transition

Sudan's rival political and civil factions have achieved a significant breakthrough, agreeing on a shared vision to initiate a process aimed at ending the ongoing war and establishing the foundations for a peaceful transition to democratic civilian governance. This consensus marks the first such agreement since the conflict erupted in April 2023.

The agreement was reached following days of intensive talks among various groups, including the Civil Democratic Alliance for the Forces of Revolution (Somoud), led by former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, and the Democratic Bloc, an ally of the Sudanese army. Other parties, political forces, and civil society organizations also contributed to the joint statement.

This new political path prioritizes achieving comprehensive peace, ending the fighting, and preserving Sudan's unity and sovereignty. The signatories emphasized the need to address the humanitarian crisis, expand civic space, and create conditions for a national dialogue. Crucially, the agreement also calls for accountability for war crimes and transitional justice to heal the deep social and psychological scars left by the conflict.

As a next step, the parties have agreed to form a preparatory committee of up to 40 members, ensuring diverse representation from different political sides, geographic regions, and affected populations, including displaced persons and refugees. This committee will be tasked with identifying participants for the broader political process based on agreed criteria and drafting the dialogue agenda.