Sudanese national political and civil forces revealed that they had held a meeting on Monday with the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa regarding an invitation extended to them to participate in the Sudanese dialogue sessions scheduled for October 6–10, 2025. This followed a formal letter the groups had previously sent to the AU outlining their reservations about the invitation.
The national Sudanese forces expressed appreciation to the facilitators of the dialogue—represented by the African Union, the Arab League, the United Nations, and IGAD—for their efforts, affirming their support for regional and international initiatives aimed at resolving Sudan’s crisis. They stressed the need for unified efforts, preceded by broad consultations with political and civil forces, while emphasizing the importance of transparency by mediators to build trust—an essential prerequisite for a successful dialogue.
In a statement, the national forces criticized the AU’s invitation for its lack of clarity regarding core issues such as the agenda, topics and mechanisms of dialogue, participants, funding, and the role of mediators and facilitators, as well as the location and timing of the talks. They asserted that the Sudanese dialogue must be nationally owned and Sudanese-led, with political and societal forces solely responsible for setting the agenda, methodology, and participation criteria.
They further stressed that upcoming meetings should build on the outcomes of AU-led consultations held in July 2024 and February 2025, rather than constitute the launch of a new process.
The groups categorically rejected the participation of what they called the “Tasis government” in the dialogue, announcing their withdrawal from any talks involving that entity.
The statement recalled that the African Union Peace and Security Council in July, the Arab League later the same month, and the UN Security Council in August had all rejected recognition of the so-called “militia government.” Accordingly, the inclusion of its representatives in dialogue organized by these bodies would constitute a breach of their declared positions.
The national political and civil forces also underlined that preliminary consultations require the creation of a conducive environment, stressing that top priority should be given to implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2736 (2024), which demands that militias lift their siege on El-Fasher, deliver humanitarian aid to war-affected civilians, and address dire conditions in Kadugli, Dilling, and Babnousa.
Signatories included: the Democratic Bloc, the National Movement Forces, the Sudan Justice Alliance, the Coordination of the Return to the Founding Platform, the Popular Congress Party, the Civil Society Organizations Alliance, and the Sudanese Women’s Bloc.
