Sudan Prepares to Launch Inclusive Political Dialogue Amid Ongoing Civil War

On Wednesday, Sudan’s Foreign Minister Mohieddin Salem told Al‑Arabia’s Mazeeg Podcast that the government is poised to launch a political dialogue that will bring together a wide array of stakeholders. He revealed that contacts are already in motion across multiple levels with political parties, women’s groups, youth organisations, civil administration bodies and Sufi orders, and that the official launch date will be announced shortly.

Salem emphasised that the Sudanese government welcomes every sincere effort to secure lasting peace, yet he dismissed proposals centred on truces, ceasefires or humanitarian concerns as "partial solutions." He described such initiatives as "exaggerations", noting that they amount to mere statements and media chatter, and that no group has presented a comprehensive, unified vision.

The announcement comes amid a war that erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). United Nations and other international estimates place the death toll at tens of thousands and record around 13 million civilians displaced. The fighting has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis, marked by widespread shortages of food, water and medical supplies.

Salem condemned international initiatives he described as "experiments by people who do not want to listen to all sides with transparency and fairness." He argued that conferences and meetings in several cities exclude most Sudanese—displaced persons, those returning to army‑controlled areas, and supporters of the armed forces. "They insist on the narrative imposed on them and seek to impose it on Sudanese people," he said.

The Sudanese government has repeatedly urged an inclusive peace process that incorporates the voices of all affected communities. While it has held behind‑the‑scenes talks with a range of actors in recent months, a formal, nationwide dialogue remains uninitiated.

The war’s repercussions spill beyond Sudan’s borders. The United Nations reports that Sudan hosts one‑third of the world’s internally displaced persons and has dispatched over 4.5 million refugees to neighboring states. The conflict has stretched the already fragile coping mechanisms of Chad, Libya, the Central African Republic and other regional partners.

Salem’s announcement arrives as the international community watches closely. The United Nations has urged an immediate ceasefire and the protection of civilians, while several countries have imposed sanctions on entities linked to both the SAF and the RSF.

According to Salem, the next step is the formal launch of the dialogue. "Anyone who wants to engage in dialogue with us is welcome in Sudan, and we will soon announce the start of this dialogue," he said. The government has yet to set a date or format for the talks.

Meanwhile, the war keeps claiming lives and displacing people. The United Nations and humanitarian organisations are working to reach the most vulnerable, but access remains limited in many conflict‑affected areas.

The Sudanese government’s call for a comprehensive political dialogue signals a potential shift in its approach to the conflict. Whether the forthcoming talks will forge a durable resolution remains uncertain, but the announcement marks a significant development in the country’s ongoing struggle for peace.