Sudan Tripartite Mechanism: Efforts Ongoing to Add More Parties to Political Agreement

The Tripartite Mechanism pledged to continue engaging with non-signatories of the political framework agreement and encourage them to join efforts to reach a final political deal leading. (SUNA)
The Tripartite Mechanism pledged to continue engaging with non-signatories of the political framework agreement and encourage them to join efforts to reach a final political deal leading. (SUNA)
TT
20

Sudan Tripartite Mechanism: Efforts Ongoing to Add More Parties to Political Agreement

The Tripartite Mechanism pledged to continue engaging with non-signatories of the political framework agreement and encourage them to join efforts to reach a final political deal leading. (SUNA)
The Tripartite Mechanism pledged to continue engaging with non-signatories of the political framework agreement and encourage them to join efforts to reach a final political deal leading. (SUNA)

The Tripartite Mechanism, which facilitates dialogue between Sudanese parties, pledged on Monday to continue engaging with non-signatories of the political framework agreement and encourage them to join efforts to reach a final political deal leading to the formation of a transitional civilian government in the country.

In a statement on Monday, the Mechanism, consisting of the African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and United Nations, welcomed the parties’ agreement on a roadmap and timetable for drafting the final political agreement and the formation of a civilian government in April.

A meeting was held on Sunday at the Republican Palace between military leaders, the Forces for Freedom and Change and other parties and facilitated by the Tripartite Mechanism.

Officials agreed on the final dates for the political process, starting with the signing of the final agreement on April 1, the signing of the constitution on April 6, and formation of the institutions of the transitional authority on April 11.

The Mechanism said parties agreed to form committees to finalize the drafting of a final political agreement and preparations to finalize a draft transitional constitution with all relevant stakeholders. Participants also agreed to continue engaging with non-signatories and encourage them to join efforts to reach a final political agreement and will continue its efforts to this end.

The Mechanism said it hopes the Sudanese parties will reach during the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, a final agreement on solutions to pave the way for the formation of a civilian-led government and end Sudan’s current crisis. Ramadan is set to begin this week.

Currently, the parties to the framework agreement will nominate their representatives to the committees to begin drafting the final agreement.

The Mechanism had invited leader of the Sudanese Justice and Equality Movement, Jibril Ibrahim, the leader of Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-MM), Minni Arko Minnawi, and members of the original Democratic Unionist Party, which all operate under the "Democratic Bloc", to participate in the meeting. But, they refused to attend.

Bloc spokesperson Moataz Al-Fahal said in a press conference Monday that the group had made many concessions to reach a political declaration with Forces of Freedom and Change Central Council (FFC-CC), despite its reservations, because it was keen on resolving the crisis.

Al-Fahal charged that the invitation that was extended to them to attend the meeting with the military and FFC forces aims to break up the unity of their bloc.



UN Chief Says Forcing Palestinians to Move Away Is against International Law

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers a statement about the ongoing humanitarian situation and fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, New York, USA, 08 April 2025. (EPA)
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers a statement about the ongoing humanitarian situation and fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, New York, USA, 08 April 2025. (EPA)
TT
20

UN Chief Says Forcing Palestinians to Move Away Is against International Law

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers a statement about the ongoing humanitarian situation and fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, New York, USA, 08 April 2025. (EPA)
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers a statement about the ongoing humanitarian situation and fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, New York, USA, 08 April 2025. (EPA)

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said that it would be against international law for Palestinians to be forced to be moved away, responding to questions about a US push to take control of the Gaza Strip.

"To be forced to be moved away is something that is against international law," Guterres told a press briefing. "Palestinians must be able to live in a Palestinian state side by side with an Israeli state. That is the only solution that can bring peace to the Middle East."

Guterres also rejected a new Israeli proposal to control aid deliveries in Gaza, saying it risks "further controlling and callously limiting aid down to the last calorie and grain of flour."

"Let me be clear: We will not participate in any arrangement that does not fully respect the humanitarian principles: humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality," Guterres told reporters.

No aid has been delivered to the Palestinian enclave of some 2.1 million people since March 2. Israel has said it would not allow the entry of all goods and supplies into Gaza until Palestinian militants Hamas release all remaining hostages.

COGAT, the Israeli military agency that coordinates aid, last week met with UN agencies and international aid groups and said it proposed "a structured monitoring and aid entry mechanism" for Gaza.

"The mechanism is designed to support aid organizations, enhance oversight and accountability, and ensure that assistance reaches the civilian population in need, rather than being diverted and stolen by Hamas," COGAT posted on X on Sunday.

Jonathan Whittall, the senior UN aid official for Gaza and the West Bank, said last week that there was no evidence of aid being diverted.

Israel last month resumed its bombardment of Gaza after a two-month truce and sent troops back into the enclave.

"Gaza is a killing field – and civilians are in an endless death loop," said Guterres as he again called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, a permanent ceasefire, and full humanitarian access in Gaza.

"With crossing points into Gaza shut and aid blockaded, security is in shambles and our capacity to deliver has been strangled," he said.

"As the occupying power, Israel has unequivocal obligations under international law – including international humanitarian law and international human rights law," Guterres said.

That means Israel should facilitate relief programs and ensure food, medical care, hygiene and public-health standards in Gaza, he said. "None of that is happening today," he added.

Israel says it does not exercise effective control over Gaza and therefore is not an occupying power.

The war in Gaza was triggered on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas killed 1,200 people in southern Israel, and took some 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza health authorities.