Sudan: Sudan's Women Call for Review of Five-Party Process After Addis Talks

What the report says

Sudanese women’s rights and civil-society figures are urging a review of the five-party mechanism overseeing Sudan’s political process after some civil forces boycotted talks in Addis Ababa in late July. The comments were reported by Dabanga and aired on Radio Dabanga’s Kandakat wa Mayarem programme. The women said the process needs broader consultation, clearer preparation and stronger guarantees for meaningful participation by women at every stage.

According to the report, the Addis Ababa consultations on July 27 brought together the five-party group made up of the United Nations, African Union, IGAD, Arab League and European Union. Activists interviewed by Radio Dabanga said the meetings were weakened by limited inclusiveness and by invitations being renewed before earlier problems were addressed. They argued that the preparatory committee should be formed through wider consultation and that the agenda, venue, timing and participating parties should be decided transparently.

Several speakers also called for women, young people, resistance committees, refugees, internally displaced people and people with disabilities to be involved. Some urged excluding the National Congress Party and affiliated bodies, and warned against including groups seen as supporting military rule. Others said the process should remain Sudanese-led and Sudanese-owned, with regional and international actors playing a supporting role.

The five-party mechanism said it would continue consultations with Sudanese parties, review the proposals raised and pursue broad, inclusive dialogue. It said such consultations are needed to build trust and legitimacy and reiterated support for Sudan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while rejecting parallel governing structures.