KHARTOUM – Sudan’s Sovereign Council Chairman and army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said he has agreed to provide political, legal and security guarantees to protect participants in a proposed Sudanese dialogue, while insisting that any peace process must not return the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) or its supporters to power.
Speaking on the 72nd anniversary of the Sudanese Armed Forces, Al-Burhan said the army would continue its campaign against what he called the “rebellion” of the RSF, but stressed that the military’s determination to fight did not mean rejecting what he described as sincere peace initiatives.
He said Sudan’s path to peace must begin with the RSF laying down its weapons, gathering in designated areas, allowing civilians to return to their homes, and restoring services, security and monitoring mechanisms. Only after that, he said, could the status of fighters not accused of crimes be considered.
The remarks come as regional and international actors intensify efforts to push for a negotiated end to the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, which erupted in April 2023 and has displaced millions, devastated state institutions and deepened Sudan’s humanitarian crisis.
Al-Burhan said a group of Sudanese men and women had launched an independent national initiative aimed at preparing for a broad Sudanese dialogue inside the country. He said the group had requested guarantees from the state to facilitate participation and protect those taking part.
He said he had approved those guarantees, including logistical support and legal, political and security protections, while insisting that the state would not organize the dialogue, determine its agenda or control its outcomes.
According to Al-Burhan, the proposed guarantees include suspending criminal procedures against participants where necessary to enable their participation, while not permanently canceling private legal rights or claims. He said any suspension would be temporary and procedural, and could be resumed under the law once the reason for the suspension ends.
He also said participants should receive full and permanent legal immunity for opinions, proposals and positions expressed during the dialogue, preventing any criminal, civil or administrative action against them based on what they say in the process.
Al-Burhan said successful dialogue would require a broader public climate of freedoms, allowing citizens, political forces and social groups — including those not directly participating — to debate, criticize or support the issues and outcomes without fear.
The proposal comes amid divisions among Sudanese political forces over whether any dialogue held inside army-controlled areas can be inclusive or credible while fighting continues. Some civilian groups have warned that a process held under wartime conditions could entrench the country’s de facto division unless preceded by a ceasefire and humanitarian measures.
Al-Burhan said the army remains committed to developing its capabilities and restoring stability, while thanking allied forces, popular resistance groups, state institutions and countries he said had supported Sudan during the war.
