Limited Progress at the Montreux Conference on Sudan's Crisis
The Montreux Conference, held in Switzerland, aimed to address the ongoing crisis in Sudan, which has persisted for nearly 19 months. Organized by the Swiss Foreign Ministry and the French organization Pro-Mediation, this fourth dialogue session brought together various Sudanese political factions, although notable groups such as the Sudan Liberation Movement and the Justice and Equality Movement chose to boycott the event. While the conference produced a document outlining principles for resolving the crisis, many observers believe it achieved only limited progress.
The document emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire, the establishment of a unified and professional army, and the creation of a neutral democratic civil state. It also called for a comprehensive peace process addressing humanitarian, military, and political issues, and proposed a transitional justice process to hold accountable those responsible for crimes since 1989. Mubarak Al-Fadil Al-Mahdi, head of the Umma Party, expressed optimism about the conference's outcomes, viewing it as a significant step toward uniting various political and civil forces.
Criticism and Concerns Over the Conference's Outcomes
Despite some positive feedback, the Montreux Conference faced criticism from various factions. Nour El-Daim Taha, assistant to the head of the Sudan Liberation Movement, condemned the formation of a joint committee with forces allied to the Rapid Support Forces, arguing it undermines accountability for past atrocities. Taha also criticized the document for failing to provide a clear reference to the violations committed by these forces.
Analyst Khaled Al-Tijani echoed these concerns, suggesting that the document did not introduce any new ideas and criticized the linking of military and political tracks. He argued that previous attempts to merge these paths have resulted in power-sharing arrangements that marginalize political forces. Al-Tijani also pointed out that some participants in the conference were previously part of the regime they now seek to dismantle, raising questions about the legitimacy of their involvement in the peace process.
