The Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue will take place from December 16-18 in Djibouti under the auspices of a quintuple mechanism comprising the African Union, IGAD, the Arab League, the United Nations, and the European Union.
The African Union and IGAD have invited various Sudanese political forces, including the National Forces Coordination, the Democratic Bloc, and the Sumood Group, in addition to Taasis, the political wing of the Rapid Support Forces militia.
Mediators informed parties supporting the Sudanese Armed Forces—who had insisted on Taasis’s exclusion and threatened to boycott the meetings if it participated—that negotiations would be held individually with each party rather than directly between opposing sides.
Mohamed Sayed Ahmed Sar Al-Khatim Al-Jakoumi, head of the National Forces Coordination and one of the invitees, told Al-Muhaqiq news site that they will present their vision in the meetings, emphasizing that the Jeddah Declaration is the correct starting point to end the war. This, he said, requires the withdrawal of militias from occupied areas and their relocation to camps outside urban centers.
Al-Jakoumi noted that the political and humanitarian tracks are separate from the military one and described the Djibouti quintuple mechanism as significant and influential. He rejected the quadruple mechanism including the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S., calling the Djibouti meetings an important first step to build upon.
He added that the discussions will focus on the differences between the National Forces and the Sumood Group. “For example, we advocate for a Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue that excludes only those who have committed crimes, while Sumood objects to the participation of the National Congress Party and its affiliates,” he said.
He confirmed their rejection of Taasis and its allies but said mediators insisted on Taasis’s inclusion. “Despite our categorical refusal, they proposed indirect negotiations by meeting each party separately,” he explained, noting that disagreements over timing, location, and participating parties will be addressed in the meetings.
Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue meetings first began in July 2024 under the African Union and IGAD sponsorship. At that time, the Taqaddum Group refused to sit with the National Forces.
In February 2025, the National Forces refused to meet with Sumood or issue a joint statement with them. In the October 6 meetings, the Arab League joined the African Union and IGAD, but Sumood insisted on including Taasis, leading to the cancellation of the talks. The mechanism later expanded with the United Nations and the European Union to form a quintuple body.
