The United Nations has led the international community to reiterate that a civilian-led political process is the only legitimate and sustainable path to peace to end the war in Sudan.
“We stand united in our belief that there can be no military solution to this crisis, and that a sustainable resolution must be rooted in an inclusive, civilian-led political process that reflects the aspirations of the Sudanese people,” read the statement.
The joint statement was signed by the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the European Union (EU), and the League of Arab States (LAS).
USA, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, and the United Kingdom also signed the statement.
“We underscore the importance of advancing the civilian track as a central pillar in efforts to end the war and lay the groundwork for a democratic and inclusive civilian-led transition process that is free of control or undue influence by any one party and that is independent of extremist groups.
“We support a swift and time-bound civilian track that leads to a civilian-led transition, with an intention to continue to review and assess progress and implementation of agreed benchmarks.”
A major thrust of the statement is that Sudan’s peace process must be broad, inclusive and representative of the country’s full social fabric.
Civilian and political actors
The partners collectively endorsed a proposed comprehensive Sudanese civilian-led dialogue “in the coming few weeks,” stressing the need to bring together “civilian and political actors”.
“[…] Including representatives of civil society, women’s groups, youth, and stakeholders representing Sudan’s geographic and social diversity and should be conducted in a manner that is transparent, credible, and free from coercion.”
The signatories emphasized that advancing the civilian track is “a central pillar in efforts to end the war and lay ground for a democratic and inclusive civilian-led transition process.”
Threatening action against parties that may seek to undermine the civilian transition process, they emphasised that it was important for the process to end “ideally within six months.
The coalition urged the international community to back the civilian-led process, reaffirming the commitment to “help end the conflict, alleviate suffering, and support Sudan’s peaceful transition.”
“Its outcome should establish a clear pathway toward a transition process to an independent civilian-led government, grounded in legitimacy, accountability, and respect for human rights.
“We underscore that the establishment of such an independent civilian-led government is indispensable to ensuring a durable end to the conflict.
“We call for broader international support and reaffirm our commitment to continued coordination to help end the conflict, alleviate suffering, and support Sudan’s peaceful transition, as well as ensuring mutually reinforcing action in support of advancing these ends goals.”
Strong international coordination
The group expressed alarm at the worsening humanitarian catastrophe following the Sudan war, reaffirming “the urgent need for a humanitarian truce, leading to a permanent ceasefire”.
“We express deep concern over the devastating humanitarian consequences of the ongoing conflict, where millions face displacement, acute food insecurity, and limited access to basic services, while attacks on civilians and infrastructure persist.”
Welcoming the outcomes of the Berlin Conference, they highlighted the Berlin principles for Sudan and the joint call to end the war and advance a Sudanese-owned political process.
These, it said, represent “an important step towards strengthening international coordination and reinforcing support for a civilian-led path.”
