Saudi Arabia is stepping up efforts to host a Sudanese national dialogue, although the venue, format and mechanisms of the proposed talks remain undecided, local Sudanese media reported, citing the French publication Africa Intelligence.
The Saudi initiative has reportedly frustrated Sudanese Armed Forces chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who wants the talks to be held inside Sudan rather than abroad.
According to Africa Intelligence, Riyadh has intensified contacts with Sudanese political groups and other influential actors as it seeks a larger role in efforts to end the country’s conflict and launch discussions over its political future.
The initiative comes amid continuing disagreement over how a national dialogue should be organised and which parties should participate. No final framework has been agreed, leaving regional powers competing to host and support the prospective political process.
Saudi Arabia’s expanding engagement with Sudanese political forces signals its ambition to play a more prominent diplomatic role and help establish a process capable of producing an agreement on the country’s future, the report said.
Burhan’s insistence that the talks take place inside Sudan, however, has emerged as a key point of contention as consultations continue over a framework capable of bringing the country’s rival parties to the negotiating table.
