Sudan: rival fractions agree on peace roadmap to end war

A turning point in the Sudan war has been reached following talks between Sudanese political and civil groups from opposing camps who have agreed on a shared peace roadmap aimed at ending the country’s conflict.

It marks a path towards democratic civilian rule, highlighting the first significant political consensus between rival factions since war erupted in April 2023, according to Asharq Al-Awsat on June 6th.

Representatives from several major political forces reached the agreement following consultations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where discussions focused on establishing a new framework for peace and political transition.

The breakthrough brings together groups that have often found themselves on opposing sides of Sudan’s political landscape, including the Civil Democratic Alliance for the Forces of the Revolution (Somoud), led by ex-Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, and the Democratic Bloc, which has largely aligned itself with the Sudanese Armed Forces. Also in attendance was the Arab socialist Baath Party, amongst organisations and other public figures.

Written in a joint statement, participants said they had agreed on a political path designed to end the war, preserve Sudan’s unity and sovereignty, as well as laying the foundations for a democratic civilian transition. The agreement is reportedly a notable attempt to revive a political process since fighting began more than three years ago.

The consensus document was later submitted to an international quintet mechanism comprising the African Union, Arab League, European Union, United Nations and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

Participants said the future political process must address the consequences of the war on the Sudanese people alongside security and governance issues.

The vision also supports a ceasefire based on the Jeddah Declaration, monitored by regional and international actors, as part of a wider effort to create conditions for a lasting settlement. The vision also contends that progress on security and political issues must occur simultaneously to prevent future instability. On its political front, the agreement advocates to address the root causes of Sudan’s crisis and establish a new social contract capable of supporting democratic governance after the war.

It further includes measures such as the release of detainees, guarantees for political and civil freedoms, efforts to locate missing persons and the suspension of politically motivated wartime prosecutions.

Participants also reaffirmed their opposition to any future political role for the National Congress Party, which was removed from power following Sudan’s 2018 revolution.

While major challenges remain, ultimately the agreement represents a rare point of convergence among rival Sudanese political forces and could provide momentum for renewed efforts to end one of Africa’s most devastating ongoing conflicts.

Asharq Al-Awsat, Maghrebi.org