International Quintet Mechanism rejects parallel governing structures in Sudan, says no military solution

The international Quintet Mechanism on Sudan reaffirmed Thursday its respect for the country’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and rejected parallel governing structures as it concluded a good-office mission to Khartoum, according to Sudan News.

The mechanism, comprising the UN, African Union, EU, Arab League and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), stressed that there is no military solution to the war.

The Quintet said in a statement cited by Sudan News that any sustainable political process must include concrete steps to protect civilians and end hostilities.

It said its efforts are aimed at advancing an inclusive and credible Sudanese-led and Sudanese-owned political process leading to a transition toward a democratic civilian government reflecting the aspirations of the Sudanese people.

The Quintet said it held constructive talks with Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, as well as Prime Minister Kamil Idris and the undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry and International Cooperation.

The delegation also attended a working dinner hosted by the finance minister with the participation of political and civilian actors.

Its meetings included political and civilian groups, including the Democratic Bloc, as well as a committee tasked with preparing the environment for Sudanese dialogue.

The mission concluded with meetings with independent women’s and youth groups.

The Quintet said the visit was intended to hear directly from Sudanese stakeholders and link its consultations outside Sudan with emerging initiatives inside the country.

The delegation arrived Tuesday for a three-day visit aimed at holding direct political consultations with relevant Sudanese parties.

Al-Burhan received the delegation Wednesday at the presidential palace in Khartoum, where they discussed peace efforts and the political process.

Mohamed Ibn Chambas, head of the African Union High-Level Panel on Sudan, described the meeting as “constructive,” saying the Quintet sought to align international mediation efforts with Sudanese initiatives.

The Quintet has been leading efforts related to the political process and sponsoring consultations among Sudanese civilian forces aimed at ending the war.

Since April 2023, the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been fighting about disagreements linked to the integration of the paramilitary group into the military establishment.

The war has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced around 13 million, triggering one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.