Khartoum (HRNW) — Maryam al-Sadiq al-Mahdi, deputy leader of Sudan’s National Umma Party, has called for the adoption of a code of conduct to build trust between the military leadership and civilian political groups ahead of proposed internal peace talks.
Al-Mahdi said meaningful negotiations would require rebuilding trust between the Sudanese people and the armed forces. Her statement came after Sudan’s military leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, offered legal protection and security guarantees to participants in the proposed talks.
She called for the withdrawal of politically motivated cases and a reduction in military presence in civilian areas as key confidence-building measures. She also urged an end to inflammatory statements and called for guarantees of freedom of movement and civilian safety.
The war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which began in April 2023, has triggered mass displacement and a severe humanitarian crisis. Millions of civilians have been affected by the conflict, while essential services and civilian infrastructure have suffered extensive damage.
Call for Coordinated International Mediation
Al-Mahdi said international mediation efforts should operate under a clear mandate with stronger coordination. She called for greater cooperation among the United Nations, African Union, European Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and Arab League to achieve meaningful results.
She argued that better coordination among international initiatives would be essential for advancing a credible political process and achieving a sustainable end to the conflict.
The National Umma Party has also experienced internal divisions during the war. Different factions have aligned themselves with either the Sudanese Armed Forces or the RSF, while another faction has maintained a neutral position.
From a human rights perspective, protecting civilians, ensuring freedom of movement, addressing politically motivated prosecutions and enabling meaningful civilian participation in the political process remain critical to achieving lasting peace in Sudan.
Support HRNW
Support Human Rights News Worldwide (HRNW) in promoting independent journalism, human rights awareness, justice and equality. Your contribution helps amplify human rights concerns and keep important issues in the public spotlight.
Support HRNW:
https://www.hrnww.com/?page_id=1083
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This report is based on available statements and reports. HRNW does not claim independent verification of every allegation or claim. Readers are advised to consult relevant official, international and credible sources for further verification.
