Sudan’s Sovereign Council chief and army commander, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has announced a series of legal, political, and security guarantees designed to foster an inclusive national dialogue. Speaking on the 72nd anniversary of the Sudanese Armed Forces, al-Burhan pledged temporary immunity for figures participating in an upcoming political transition managed by an independent national mechanism.
Al-Burhan clarified that these state-level measures involve the temporary suspension of ongoing criminal proceedings against any dialogue participants facing active charges. He stressed that this framework facilitates unhindered participation without functioning as a blanket pardon, ensuring the legal rights of individuals who originally filed complaints remain intact.
Furthermore, the army chief promised absolute legal protection for opinions, political stances, and statements expressed during the dialogue. He assured participants that commentary voiced in public forums will not be weaponized for future prosecution. Al-Burhan emphasized that the dialogue must be transparent and hosted in public spaces, empowering Sudanese society to express critical viewpoints freely without fear of censorship, intimidation, or structural restrictions.
To ensure credibility, al-Burhan underscored that the state will maintain a hands-off approach. The political roadmap has been independently conceived by prominent Sudanese public figures who retain full operational control over oversight, agenda setting, and outcomes. Government authorities will neither organize sessions nor dictate parameters. According to Al Jazeera, the independent mechanism will soon host a formal press conference to outline its vision, strategic goals, and timeline for the domestic transition.
While opening the door for political reconciliation with civilian factions, al-Burhan maintained a stern position regarding the ongoing civil conflict against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti). The military leader declared that the army is prepared to embrace credible peace initiatives, but drew a firm red line against an “incomplete peace.”
Al-Burhan explicitly rejected any settlement that would allow the RSF and its political backers to re-enter national governance. He reiterated the military’s mission to “complete the cleansing of the country from the terrorist militia,” asserting that sustainable recovery must begin with comprehensive RSF withdrawals from urban residential centers into designated assembly perimeters.
Following a full withdrawal, priorities must shift to securing the safe return of displaced families and refugees. Only subsequent to these security milestones could constructive discussions take place regarding the long-term status of RSF fighters, including the potential integration of uncompromised personnel into the regular armed forces.
On a parallel track, al-Burhan noted that preliminary discussions have commenced with domestic political forces that historically supported state institutions. These consultations aim to broaden political inclusivity by integrating national stakeholders into primary governance structures, including active representation within a prospective legislative council currently under deliberation.
