Sudan army chief holds unannounced talks on national dialogue

Sudan's army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has held unannounced consultations with political and civil society figures in Khartoum on steps towards a national dialogue conference. The discussions were aimed at creating conditions for a broader Sudanese political process, according to political sources familiar with the talks. They come as the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces continues, more than three years after it began in April 2023.

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The reported proposals include dropping charges that could carry the death penalty against opposition leaders and forming a preparatory committee for the planned conference. Those involved in the consultations are said to have agreed on practical steps to encourage dialogue, including ending media campaigns against political opponents. The sources said the talks focused on the need for a comprehensive conference involving key political players.

The measures under discussion would affect figures linked to the Somoud Alliance, a political grouping led by former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. The charges against Hamdok and other Somoud-linked political figures include war crimes, inciting war against the state, and undermining the constitution. Somoud has denied accusations that it supports the Rapid Support Forces.

The consultations also reportedly covered the selection of a preparatory committee made up of independent figures with specialist expertise. If carried forward, the initiative could mark a limited political opening in a conflict that has fractured Sudan's state institutions and deepened divisions among civilian and military actors. A dialogue process involving both political and civil society groups would be significant because it could shape who is included in any future settlement and what issues are placed on the agenda.

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The reported involvement of regional forces, as described by one political adviser, also suggests that outside actors may be watching closely. The war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has been the central driver of Sudan's crisis since April 2023. In that context, any move towards talks has implications not only for domestic politics but also for efforts to reduce violence and rebuild a framework for governance.

The reported discussion of suspending criminal cases and ending hostile media messaging indicates that the consultations are focused on confidence-building measures rather than a final agreement. What remains unclear is whether the reported understandings will lead to formal decisions, who would sit on the preparatory committee, and whether the proposed conference will take place. It is also not clear which political and civil society figures were present at the consultations or how far the army leadership is prepared to go on legal changes.

The next developments to watch are any official announcement, the naming of the committee, and whether the dialogue process gains wider acceptance among Sudan's political factions.

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