Sudan paramilitary group open to talks on parallel government

The alliance, which to date is the largest Sudanese alliance, has said that the constitution will criminalize dictatorial actions.

“This alliance government is open for negotiations. If the government wants to continue  fighting, then we will be in a position to defend ourselves. If they go for negotiations, then we are ready to negotiate,” the alliance said, adding that the government of the day has no international recognition.

Nasredeem Abdulbari, Sudan’s former Justice Minister and a member of the Sudan Founding Alliance, has stated that the Kenyan government is supporting their efforts to achieve peace, social justice, and democracy.

“We are founding this alliance. There are about 25 million people in areas controlled by the military organizations that are part of this charter,” he said, emphasizing the need for support as these individuals are among the most vulnerable in Sudan.

Abdulbari also accused Sudan’s de facto military authority of enforcing discriminatory living conditions, forcing some people to flee the country.

“We have a moral obligation to help them and enable them to live in dignity, like other people in different parts of Sudan,” Abdulbari said.

The transitional charter envisions Sudan as a secular, democratic, and decentralized nation, emphasizing a distinct Sudanese identity and the separation of religion from governance. The alliance has called for the repeal of the 2019 transitional constitutional document, along with all previous laws, decisions, and decrees.

“We want to thank President William Ruto for his unwavering support for our cause despite immense pressure. This is a critical step toward achieving peace in Sudan,” said Mabrouk Mubarak Salim, head of the Free Lions Party.

Expressing gratitude to President Ruto and Kenya for hosting them, the alliance emphasized the necessity of forming a government to address the country’s ongoing crisis.

“We are doing this because millions of children, women, and men need healthcare and official documents, which the de facto authority is preventing them from obtaining,” said Abdulbari, adding that their actions also respond to numerous calls from Sudanese people both within and outside the country.

This is not the first time Kenya is hosting Sudan. Kenya hosted negotiations that led to the Naivasha peace agreement ending the longest running war in Africa.

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed in 2005 to end the Second Sudanese Civil War. It was signed by the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).