Sudan official proposes national dialogue to end civil war

A senior Sudanese official has proposed a national dialogue aimed at ending the country's civil war and setting out a path towards civilian rule and elections. Malik Agar Ayyir, who is now aligned with the Sudanese government, is calling for talks to restore the state's monopoly on arms and dissolve non-state armed groups. The proposal is intended to bring together actors aligned with Sudan's internationally recognised government and address the conflict's main political and military disputes.

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The plan, obtained by the source, says the dialogue could take the form of a single meeting or a series of meetings. It specifically raises questions about the role of the Sudanese Armed Forces, the conflict with the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group, the role of the international community and the future structure of government. It also says progress will not be possible without recognising the role of external actors in Sudan's internal affairs.

Agar Ayyir serves as deputy chairman of Sudan's transitional government and is also described as chairman of a militia group that once fought Khartoum. His proposal builds on the terms of a peace deal signed in 2020 between Sudan's government and several rebel groups. That agreement was meant to help end years of instability and internal conflict, but the current war has continued to deepen the crisis.

The initiative comes after more than two years of fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which began in April 2023. The conflict has killed thousands of people and displaced about 14 million, creating what has been described as the world's largest ongoing humanitarian and refugee crisis. Armed factions have also been accused of serious human rights violations, including allegations of ethnic cleansing and genocide.

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The proposal also reflects the continuing debate over how Sudan's war should end and who should shape the transition that follows. Sudanese officials have repeatedly argued that any settlement must include the withdrawal of RSF fighters from large areas of western and central Sudan before negotiations can move forward. The RSF leadership has previously rejected that approach, leaving the two sides far apart on the basic conditions for talks.

What remains unclear is whether Agar Ayyir's proposal can gain support from the main armed actors and from outside powers with influence over the conflict. It is also not clear whether the dialogue would be a formal peace process or a broader political consultation among government-aligned groups. The next stage will depend on whether the proposal can turn into a credible negotiating framework that addresses security, governance and the role of external actors.

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