The United Nations has committed to carrying out consultations to shape the political destiny of the Sudanese people in a process that will be guided by the Sudanese themselves.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the United Nations listed seven points on which the transition to democracy and peace would be determined.
“The consultations on a political process for Sudan are a UN-facilitated exercise to support Sudanese stakeholders in building consensus on the way forward for the country: to address the current political impasse and develop a path towards democracy and peace,” the statement read in part.
The statement authorised the United Nations integrated transition assistance mission in Sudan to carry out the mandate of ensuring the political transition is achieved, vested in democratic governance, and to support the government in the promotion of human rights and sustainable peace.
“Through its good office’s role under Security Council Resolution 2579 (2021), UNITAMS will work with all actors to develop an inclusive process that can build consensus on the path to a full civilian-led democratic transition.”
“The process that UNITAMS has launched will start with initial consultations with stakeholders including government, political actors, peace partners, armed movements, civil society, resistance committees, women’s groups, and youth.”
‘All-inclusive’
The statement stressed that the entire process would be guided by “the views of Sudanese themselves,” through maximum participation and engagement across the political dimension of the country.
“The UN has no position on the outcome of this process, which will be guided by the views of the Sudanese themselves. We will make available a range of capacities to maximise participation and ensure engagement across the political spectrum in the country, ” the statement continued.
“The outcome of this initial phase of consultations will feed into the design of further steps of the process. Subject to the outcome of the consultations and the request of the parties, UNITAMS stands ready to facilitate additional steps at a later stage as may be required, and potentially together with other partners.”
The United Nations pledged to support a civilian government during the transitional period and added that they would be guided by respect for human rights as well as women’s and youth participation in the peace processes.
They appealed to Sudanese authorities to create an enabling atmosphere for the consultations by ending brutality against protesters, bringing perpetrators of violence to book and protecting human rights.
“The UN is committed to supporting a civilian-led government as the ultimate objective of the transitional period in Sudan, as per its mandate.” We are likewise guided by the principles of the organisation, including respect for human rights and the centrality of women’s and youth participation in peace processes, ” the statement concluded.
“The UN counts on the full cooperation of all parties, especially the authorities, to create an atmosphere conducive to these consultations.
“These include immediately ending the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators, holding the perpetrators of such violence accountable, and preserving and protecting the human rights of the Sudanese people.”
Talks start
The United Nations Mission in Sudan announced on Monday that it would launch negotiations with the Sudanese military council and other politicians to solve the political situation of the country, according to the UN special representative Volker Perthes.
“We want to move quickly… We are starting this afternoon with the first group from civil society. We will have a mix every day, of stakeholders we are talking to. Time is precious, we know that. There’s a lot of pressure on the situation in Sudan and on us,” said Perthes.
Analysts and diplomats told Aljazeera that if democracy is not ensured, the economic situation of Sudan could worsen.
“I do hope that these consultations can become something like a confidence-building measure and would help to at least reduce the violence,” Perthes said.
The UN chief did not cite any refusal by the military institutions to go onto the negotiation table.
On Sunday, the Sudanese Professionals Association stood its ground that they were not willing to be part of the talks facilitated by the UN.
Resignation
The Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok resigned on January 2, after mass protests hit the streets of Khartoum in demand for full civilian government and the removal of the military leadership.
He warned against “political catastrophe” when no solution is made and thus advised a roundtable discussion on the “national charter” and to “draw a roadmap” for transitioning the country from military to democracy in a peaceful election in 2023.
“My honourable people, based on all that I have mentioned, I have decided to return your trust to you and announce to you my resignation from the position of prime minister to make way for another one of the sons or daughters of this generous country to lead our dear homeland and carry it through the transition towards a reviving, civil and democratic state,” he added.
Many Sudanese diplomats called for a civilian rule to be established as well as the US Bureau of African Affairs.
Hamdok said on his resignation that Sudan was at a “dangerous turning point.”
“In the past few days, I met all stakeholders of the transitional period, the political and military components and the peace partners, to explain and brief them and to put the national and historical responsibility before them,” the Sudanese Prime Minister said.
“I tried my best to avoid our country slipping into a catastrophe, and now our country is going through a dangerous turning point, that may threaten its entire survival if it is not remedied soon,” Hamdok said.
Before Hamdok’s resignation, during the 66th independence anniversary, the chair of the military council, Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, revealed that Sudan was facing threats and called for dialogue to end the crisis.
“The council commended the efforts made by the security agencies and the wisdom they have shown in dealing with security threats,” said the statement issued by the Sovereignty Council, a collective presidency led by Gen Al Burhan.