Sudan: Young Sudanese Call for 'Inclusive Dialogue to Address Roots of War, Put Justice and Peace First'

In Sudan, young citizens are advocating for an inclusive dialogue to address the roots of the ongoing war and prioritize justice and peace. Some view dialogue as a vital starting point for a political process, while others caution that it may merely be another political agreement that overlooks the crisis' origins and repeats past failures.

Young activists emphasize that any future political process must consider the scale of violations, the dire humanitarian situation, and the historical, political, and social factors that triggered the conflict.

Ibtihal Abdelrahman, a young feminist and human rights defender, argues that genuine peace necessitates dealing with accumulated injustices over decades. She doubts whether the proposed Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue will include all Sudanese political forces and social components, and warns against repeating past mistakes that prioritized power and wealth without addressing the crisis' roots.

She advocates for transitional justice, which includes holding perpetrators accountable, providing reparations, and addressing social and psychological consequences before proceeding to political arrangements.

Albaraa Bashir, another youth activist, sees the dialogue as a continuation of political evasiveness by the conflicting parties. He points out the humanitarian crisis, displacement, and famine resulting from the war. Mortada Ahmed contends that Sudan's crisis is primarily military and suggests direct negotiations between warring factions as the solution.

He urges political discussions to follow a ceasefire and stabilization. Sawsan Juma Mousa maintains that dialogue is crucial but stresses its inclusivity and necessity to tackle the crisis' causes. She reflects on past dialogues that failed to address fundamental issues, leading to recurring crises. All activists agree that dialogue must lead to a sustainable solution, including military integration and the formation of a civilian authority reflecting Sudanese aspirations.