Burhan drops charges against Sudan dialogue participants, grants temporary immunity

Sudanese Justice Minister Abdullah Dirif announced on Tuesday that Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Chairman of the Sovereignty Council, has issued a decision to drop public charges against participants in the Sudanese dialogue and grant them "temporary immunity" for the duration of their involvement, in response to demands from the Sudanese-Sudanese Dialogue Initiative.

Dirif said at a press conference in Khartoum that the decision also includes dropping charges and all accusations brought by state institutions against Sudanese citizens living abroad, clarifying that the measure is limited to cases related to public rights.

The justice minister stressed that participants in the dialogue "enjoy immunity from public charges only for the duration of the dialogue," noting that any Sudanese entering the country to take part will be covered by the decision.

However, Dirif explained that fighters who voluntarily surrender are not included in the decision for dialogue participants, but instead benefit from a previous amnesty.

The justice minister emphasized that the government is not a party to the dialogue and does not determine its participants or timing. Burhan had previously announced on August 15 the launch of a comprehensive Sudanese dialogue, initiated by a national group of Sudanese men and women.

Burhan: Dialogue is independent, state will not determine its participants or outcomes

When announcing the initiative, Burhan said the dialogue would be independent, with the state not organizing it or setting its agenda or outcomes. He stressed that Khartoum "will not accept a peace that returns Rapid Support Forces leaders to power."

Burhan also announced that participants would be granted "legal guarantees" regarding ongoing criminal proceedings, clarifying that the suspension of proceedings does not constitute a pardon or a final dropping of legal responsibility, but rather "temporary procedural immunity to create suitable conditions for participation in the dialogue."

He explained that he had met with representatives of the group proposing an independent national mechanism "to prepare for an inclusive Sudanese dialogue aimed at achieving national consensus and leading the country toward stability," and agreed to provide the necessary guarantees for the dialogue to take place and for parties to participate.

The Sovereignty Council chairman affirmed that the state "will provide logistical support and legal, political, and security guarantees for participants, without interfering in the management of the dialogue or determining its participants, agenda, or outcomes."

Burhan also stressed the need for the dialogue to take place in an environment of freedom, allowing citizens and political and social forces to express their views openly. He said the path to peace begins with halting the fighting, laying down arms, enabling citizens to return to their areas, and restoring services and security.