ADDIS ABABA — The African Union High-Level Panel on Sudan, chaired by Mohamed Ibn Chambas, has completed a crucial round of consultations in Addis Ababa, setting the stage for an upcoming Inter-Sudanese Political Dialogue aimed at resolving ongoing conflicts in Sudan.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the consultations involved a diverse group of stakeholders, including members of the AU expanded mechanism, the diplomatic corps, and representatives from Sudanese political and civil forces. The dialogue, which lasted three days, sought to gather insights from these groups to shape the framework for the forthcoming political discussions. “The Sudanese Political Dialogue will be scheduled as soon as we have made sufficient consultations with critical civilians and political actors, hopefully within the next two months,” Chambas stated.
The discussions have reportedly been productive, reflecting a significant level of trust in the efforts of the AU and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to guide Sudan back to constitutional governance through inclusive dialogue. Chambas emphasized the importance of a Sudanese-led process, stating, “We must have a Sudanese owned and Sudanese led process that is inclusive. We pledge to continue to exercise neutrality as mediators and to remain transparent throughout the process.”
The outcome of the consultations will be combined with those from other meetings to develop guiding principles for the main political dialogue, including the agenda and criteria for representation. Lawrence Korbandy, IGAD’s Special Envoy for Sudan, echoed the sentiment of urgency and responsibility, expressing hope that the longstanding political crisis in Sudan could soon come to an end. “It is now time to end this war,” he urged, highlighting the historical and moral duty shared by IGAD and the African Union to address and resolve conflicts within the continent.