Rapid Support Forces leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo discussed peace efforts and a proposed prisoner exchange with UN envoy Pekka Haavisto in a telephone call, warning against international backing for an army-sponsored political dialogue, according to a TASIS alliance spokesperson.
Ahmed Tugod Lisan told Radio Dabanga that Dagalo, who heads the alliance’s leadership council, urged the five-party mediation mechanism to remain within its mandate and avoid endorsing an initiative promoted by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
The call accompanied Haavisto’s visit to Khartoum amid diplomatic efforts to end Sudan’s war and preparations for an internal dialogue led by independent academics. The proposed talks have drawn objections from opposition groups, including TASIS.
According to Tugod, Dagalo criticised the African Union Commission’s position, which the alliance views as favouring the de facto authorities in Khartoum. TASIS also considers the commission’s welcome for Burhan’s dialogue proposal unbalanced.
Haavisto said the five-party mechanism’s purpose was to assess developments and convey messages to the parties, rather than endorse an initiative put forward by any side, Tugod said.
The discussion also covered a UN initiative to exchange prisoners. Dagalo said TASIS required official lists identifying prisoners held by the Sudanese Armed Forces as an essential step to establish the seriousness of any proposal.
Tugod said Dagalo pointed to previous releases of prisoners by the RSF through the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Humanitarian conditions in Heiban, in South Kordofan, were also discussed. According to Tugod, Haavisto praised an initiative by Dagalo to address the crisis there. The report provided no further details about the initiative or its implementation.
Separately, political analyst and journalist Suhaib Hamed said the authorities in Khartoum had welcomed Haavisto’s appointment despite his previous involvement in issues surrounding South Sudan’s separation. Hamed described the planned dialogue as a Sudanese-led initiative and argued that it deserved support.
