The UN has launched a Sudanese political process to end the post-coup crisis

KHARTUM (Reuters) – The United Nations said on Saturday it would invite Sudanese military leaders, political parties and other groups to take part in the “political process” to end the crisis that erupted in October.

In the weeks following the coup, UN mediation led to the reinstatement of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdo, but his resignation last week heightened uncertainty about Sudan’s political future and the transition to the 2023 elections.

Neighborhood resistance committees, political parties and other pro-democracy groups have launched an ongoing protest campaign under the slogan “no negotiations”, and repression by security forces has left at least 60 dead.

Failure to chart a new path for transition and credible elections will lead to greater instability within and outside Sudan’s borders, analysts and diplomats said.

“Not all the measures taken so far have succeeded in reviving the trajectory of this transformation,” said UN Special Representative Volker Perthes in a statement announcing the launch of the UN-facilitated process.

“… Repeated violence against mostly peaceful protesters has only served to heighten mistrust among all Sudanese political parties,” he added.

Sudanese military, armed movements, political parties, civil society and resistance committees will be invited to attend, the UN statement said.