The Civil Democratic Forces Coordination (Taqqadum) announced on Tuesday that Sudan’s beleaguered army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has granted approval for a meeting with Taqqadum to discuss ways to halt hostilities in the country.
The confirmation announcement by Taqqadum follows a recent statement by Sovereign Council Vice Chairman, Malik Agar expressing the Sudanese government’s readiness to engage in talks with the civilian coalition in the upcoming days.
In late December, coalition leader Abdallah Hamdok disclosed the dispatch of a letter to Army Commander-in-Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, seeking a meeting with civil forces to explore avenues for ending the conflict that has persisted since mid-April 2023.
Following a meeting between Hamdok, coalition leaders, and Dagalo in Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa in early January, Hamdok reiterated his appeal to al-Burhan on January 4, urging him to accept the request for a direct meeting with Taqqadum.
On Monday, Agar conveyed to Al Jazeera TV that the Coordination of Civilian Democratic Forces had sought a meeting with al-Burhan, and the request underwent deliberation in official government sessions.
“The Army’s Commander-in-Chief, in turn, addressed Tagadum’s request,” Agar said.
Agar emphasized that the Sudanese government is open to engaging with all political components, reiterating that they are reaching out to all groups, not limiting discussions to a single entity.
Agar added that there is no designated date for the meeting between al-Burhan and Hamdok.
On January 1, Taqqadum signed an agreement with RSF leader Dagalo to unconditionally cease hostilities and address the humanitarian crisis resulting from the prolonged conflict.
According to the UN, the conflict has resulted in over 12,000 deaths and more than 33,000 injuries, with approximately 25 million people, half of the population, requiring humanitarian aid.
The crisis has forced over 7 million people in Sudan to be displaced within the country or seek refuge in neighboring nations in search of security.
