Sudanese pro-democracy forces to engage with belligerents on civilian protection, end war

December 20, 2023 (NAIROBI) – The Civilian Democratic Forces Coordination (Taqaddum) has decided to initiate urgent contact with the Sudanese Army Command and the Rapid Support Command to safeguard civilians from the escalating conflict over state formation.

The coalition’s Executive Office announced on Wednesday that it has resolved to immediately engage with both parties to urge them to heed the call of reason and fulfil their pledges to safeguard civilians in their respective territories, provide safe passage for aid deliveries, and expeditiously resume negotiations under the Jeddah framework. Additionally, they should respond to the proposal by IGAD leaders for a direct meeting between the Army Commander and the Rapid Support Commander to achieve an unconditional ceasefire.

Following a three-day conclave in Nairobi, participants emphasized the futility of military solutions to Sudan’s crisis. They underscored that both warring parties share responsibility for the violations arising from the conflict.

The coordination has pledged to reach out to the regional and international community to seek support for efforts to address the humanitarian catastrophe and promote a peaceful negotiated resolution.

The meeting further called for urgent sessions of the African Peace and Security Council and the UN Security Council to monitor political developments in Sudan, establish mechanisms to protect civilians and secure immediate aid from international organizations. These mechanisms should include the creation of internally displaced person camps with international protection, the establishment of standby mechanisms to safeguard civilians, and the opening of humanitarian corridors under international oversight.

In conjunction with these measures, the coordination welcomed the formation of a Human Rights Council committee, led by Tanzanian Mohamed Chande Othman, to investigate violations and abuses committed since the outbreak of hostilities.

Last October, pro-democracy civilian forces including political and civil society groups met in Addis Ababa to unify their efforts to stop the war and work together for the restoration of a civilian-led transitional government to prepare for elections and conduct some major reforms.

On an organizational level, the Civil Forces Coordination announced that its founding conference will take place during the last week of February.

A statement issued by the meeting further revealed that the Executive Office had finalized the work plan for the comprehensive founding conference of civil democratic forces, based on the reports and plans of various committees, and presented it to the Leadership Council, which approved it at a meeting held on Wednesday.

The coordination also approved the formation of a preparatory committee to coordinate and implement activities leading up to the founding conference, including the establishment of the broadest possible democratic civil front to bring an end to the war and achieve the objectives of the glorious December Revolution.

The roadmap emphasized the necessity of this political process culminating in the drafting of an agreed-upon transitional constitution, based on the final political agreement, the formation of transitional constituent civil authority institutions and military institutions subject to civilian oversight, and the implementation of agreed-upon measures through specific mechanisms and timelines.

(ST)