KHARTOUM – The Quintet Mechanism concluded a good offices mission to Khartoum, saying there is no military solution to Sudan’s war and reaffirming its rejection of parallel governing structures.
The Quintet, which includes the African Union, IGAD, the League of Arab States, the European Union and the United Nations, said it held constructive discussions with the chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, the deputy chairman of the council, the prime minister and the undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The delegation also attended a working dinner at the invitation of the finance minister, with the participation of a number of political and civilian actors.
The Quintet said it met a range of political and civilian groups, including the Democratic Bloc, and heard from the committee working to create a conducive environment for a Sudanese dialogue.
The committee explained the basis of its work, according to the statement.
The mission ended with a meeting with independent women and youth groups.
The Quintet said its visit to Khartoum was aimed at listening to stakeholders on the ground and linking its external engagements with Sudanese initiatives emerging inside the country.
It said collective efforts would help advance a credible, inclusive, Sudanese-led and Sudanese-owned political track that leads to a transition toward a democratic, civilian-led government reflecting the aspirations of the Sudanese people.
The Quintet reiterated its conviction that there is no military solution to the conflict in Sudan.
It said any durable political process must be accompanied by concrete steps to protect civilians and end hostilities.
The mechanism also reaffirmed its full respect for Sudan’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and rejected parallel governing structures.
Background
The visit comes amid intensified regional and international consultations over Sudan’s war, including efforts to support de-escalation, civilian protection, humanitarian access and a political process owned by Sudanese actors.
The Quintet has been engaging Sudanese political and civilian forces inside and outside the country, while UN envoy Pekka Haavisto has held consultations with several Sudanese parties on ways to reduce escalation and support a credible political process.
Sudanese political forces remain divided over the shape, venue and guarantees of any national dialogue. Some groups have backed an internal Sudanese-Sudanese process, while others have warned that any dialogue held under current wartime conditions could legitimize military authority or entrench realities created by the conflict.
Sudan’s war erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after a power struggle over security arrangements and the integration of the paramilitary force into the army.
The conflict has caused mass displacement, widespread hunger, the collapse of basic services and the emergence of competing political and military structures in parts of the country.
