23-24 July 2023

Lome, Togo

Introduction

Sudan is a multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-cultural and multi-linguistic country. Successive central governments that ruled Sudan since independence have failed, however, to embrace and manage such diversity. Not only that, but these successive governments have sought in various ways and worked over the years to decimate such pluralism which is unique to Sudan and its diverse nature.

After the war broke out in Sudan on April 15th, 2023, between Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), the global community has been grappling with understanding the real causes behind the war. Of equal importance, however, is the question of how these events impact not only the Sudanese people in general, and the people in Darfur in particular, but how these events impact international peace and security. As the war raged on, Darfur slipped into a state of chaos, marred by inter-tribal conflicts and fighting. Everyone knew the role played by the former regime and the coup leaders in fueling the conflict in Darfur and they have done so, by pitting some groups against others, to cause a dent in Darfur social fabric.

Sudan crises and possible solutions

The most effective solution to the Sudanese crisis is to forge an agreement among all Sudanese and establish a new state that reflects the country’s rich diversity. The new reforms must include all government’s institutions, especially the army and other security forces, with the objective to establish a unified and professional national army Furthermore, the Sudanese people must agree and choose democracy as the only and ideal path to reach power through implementing a federal system of governance which allows any region to adopt policies and laws that fulfill the aspirations of its people. All that shall be accomplished through drafting and agreeing to a national and permanent constitution and hence, the establishment of a new state that values the rights of all Sudanese and also values the institutionalization of freedom, peace, justice, and the exclusion of violence as means to assume power. 

The objectives and expected outcomes of the consultative meeting

The main objective of holding the consultative meeting is to provide an opportunity for the Darfurian leaders to discuss the effect of the war on Darfur and Sudan in general, and to develop ideas that could lead to taking a unified position to mitigate the effects of the current war in Darfur and preserve the cohesiveness of its society as well as finding a comprehensive and sustainable solution to the entire Sudanese crisis.

The expected outcomes of the meeting

1. The participants of the meeting agreed on an action plan and a road map which would prevent Darfur from slipping into a full-scale civil war, as well as securing safe humanitarian corridors for the purpose of delivering humanitarian aid and assistance to those affected by the war.
2. Work with all components of the Sudanese society, especially the Darfur society, to stop the war which is currently raging between the RSF and SAF.
3. Pledge full support to build a new Sudan based on new foundations, provided that this is done by addressing the root causes of the crises that plagued the country since independence, in a way that leads to the establishment of a new state that values the rights of all Sudanese irrespective of their race, religion, culture and geographical affiliation.

Participants in the consultative meeting

This meeting will be attended by political leaders and leaders of armed struggle movements from Darfur, who believe in the need for accomplishing a radical change in Sudan by addressing any imbalances that has plagued the country, ignored its peripheries, and plunged the country into prolonged wars. The total number of participants would be 25.

1. A paper on a historical narrative on the establishment of Sudanese state and the imbalances that accompanied its establishment and its continuity moving forward.

2. Why the April 15^th war between the RSF and SAF started and how to stop it.

3. Historical background on the inter-tribal conflict in and around El Geneina in West Darfur State, and what measures need to be taken to stop the bloodshed there and mend the social fabric in the region.

4. A paper on the different available systems of governance and civil administration and what system is suitable to be adopted in Sudan given its diverse nature, especially in the Darfur region.