The exploratory peace talks aimed at narrowing differences among Sudanese civilian and political forces have officially opened in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, under the auspices of the Quintet mechanism.
However, just as the meetings commenced, deep-seated disagreements and stark political divisions among the Sudanese factions were laid bare.
Leaders of Sudan’s Democratic Bloc publicly reaffirmed their organization’s absolute refusal to engage in any form of political dialogue with the “Tasis” alliance—a political coalition led by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
This decisive stance was announced during a press conference held by the Bloc’s leadership just moments before the official sessions convened.
Mubarak Ardol, assistant to the Democratic Bloc’s chairman, informed journalists that the 13-member delegation attending the Addis Ababa meeting officially represents the Bloc and is acting on direct notifications from the organization’s top leadership.
Ardol explained that while the Bloc remains firmly committed to political dialogue as the only viable pathway out of the current Sudanese crisis, describing the current moment as an appropriate opportunity despite the highly polarized positions of various parties, they have drawn a strict line when it comes to the RSF-backed Tasis alliance.
He emphasized that the Bloc’s position on Tasis is well known, particularly given the severe human rights violations committed across Sudan because of that alliance, effectively closing the door on any mutual engagement.
Ardol also acknowledged internal disagreements within the Bloc regarding whether to participate in these talks, but insisted that its organizational structures remain unified and that a consensus position would ultimately be reached with the members who have declined to attend.
Adding to the critique of the current peace process, Sally Zaki, another assistant to the Bloc’s chairman, argued that the sheer proliferation of foreign initiatives and international meetings regarding the Sudanese issue has complicated the crisis rather than resolving it. She stated that the time has come for genuine dialogue to take place inside Sudan rather than abroad, as previous external efforts have yet to yield tangible results.
Zaki strongly reaffirmed the Democratic Bloc’s categorical rejection of sitting down with any “parallel government” that actively works to divide the country and undermine Sudan’s sovereignty, noting that 11 organizations within the Bloc are currently represented at the Addis Ababa venue.
Meanwhile, Bloc spokeswoman Nidal Hisham clarified that the decision to participate and the nomination of the delegation had been formally approved by Bloc chairman Jafar al-Mirghani and Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) leader Minni Arko Minnawi.
She stressed that the role of the international community should be limited to facilitating and supporting the process rather than controlling the dialogue or dictating its terms. Hisham reiterated that a sustainable Sudanese dialogue must ultimately take place within the country and must be fully inclusive of all political parties, with the sole exception of those proven to have committed crimes against the state and its people.
