Sudan’s al-Burhan Offers Temporary Immunity for National Dialogue, Rejects Hemedti’s Return

Sudan’s army chief and head of the Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has pledged temporary legal, political and security protections for participants in a proposed national dialogue aimed at addressing the country’s political crisis.

Speaking on Saturday during celebrations marking the 72nd anniversary of the Sudanese Armed Forces, al-Burhan said criminal proceedings against participants facing charges could be temporarily suspended while they take part in the dialogue.

He stressed that the measure would not amount to a pardon and would not affect the rights of people who had filed complaints against those taking part.

Al-Burhan said the dialogue should be open to all and conducted in a public environment where Sudanese citizens could express their opinions and criticism without fear. He also promised that statements and positions expressed during the talks would not be used as grounds for prosecution.

According to al-Burhan, the initiative was proposed by a group of Sudanese figures who would independently oversee the process. He said the government would neither organise the dialogue nor determine its agenda or outcome.

Army Rejects ‘Incomplete Peace’

On the ongoing war, al-Burhan said the army remained ready to engage with any serious peace initiative but would reject what he described as an “incomplete peace”.

He ruled out any agreement that would allow the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, and its supporters to return to power.

Al-Burhan said the army would continue its campaign against the RSF until what he called the “cleansing of the country from the terrorist militia” was completed.

He said any path towards peace must begin with RSF fighters withdrawing from cities and assembling in designated areas. This would be followed by the return of displaced people and refugees to their homes.

Only afterwards, he said, could discussions begin on the future of RSF fighters, including the possible integration of those who had not committed crimes into Sudan’s regular armed forces.

African Union Delegation to Visit Khartoum

Meanwhile, a 15-member delegation from the African Union’s Peace and Security Council is expected to arrive in Khartoum for a three-day visit.

The delegation, headed by Algeria’s representative, is expected to meet al-Burhan, Prime Minister Kamil Idris, political groups and civil society organisations.

The visit comes as the African Union continues efforts to support a political solution to Sudan’s conflict.

Sudan has also formally requested that the African Union lift its suspension from the bloc’s activities, imposed after al-Burhan dissolved the Sovereign Council and cabinet and declared a state of emergency in October 2021.

The conflict between Sudan’s army and the RSF has caused a major humanitarian crisis, with millions of people displaced and large parts of the country affected by fighting.

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