Tasis warns against the participation of MB-affiliated figures in the Berlin Conference 

The Sudan Founding Alliance (Tasis) has recently took a step to warn against the participation of figures it describes as fronts linked to the terrorist Islamic Movement in the third international Ministerial Conference on the Sudanese crisis in Berlin. This particular development on the Peace Government’s part coincides with the start of multi-track meetings hosted by the German capital in an effort to address the Sudanese crisis. 

The Conference being held fortunately enjoys broad international participation, including a political ministerial track, a humanitarian track, and a Sudanese civil society meeting. Meanwhile, the de facto authority in Port Sudan has announced that it will not be bound by any outcomes due to its exclusion from the Conference. 

The ministerial meeting, which includes representatives from Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the African Union, and the European Union as well, aims to discuss ways to end the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), in addition to coordinating international efforts through the Quad and Quintet mechanisms. 

In regards to the humanitarian track, the UN and relief organizations are participating to discuss mechanisms for supporting millions affected by the conflict and to mobilize additional funding to facilitate the delivery of aid to affected areas. 

As for the civilian track, the third Berlin Conference brings together Sudanese political forces and civil society organizations to present their vision for the future of the political process, amidst European emphasis on the need to strengthen the civilian role in any future settlement. 

The Sudan Founding Alliance further stated that the inclusion of figures associated with the Islamic Movement poses a threat to the civilian track, arguing that it could lead to the “hijacking” of the political debate and weaken the chances of achieving a credible peace process. 

Conversely, other civilian forces, including the Civil Democratic Alliance of Revolutionary Forces (Sumoud), welcomed the third Berlin Conference, considering it an opportunity to put the Sudanese crisis back on the international agenda. 

For its part, the de facto authority in Port Sudan continues to intransigently reject the Conference. Its Prime Minister, Kamil Idris, asserted that any outcomes issued without his government’s participation “will not be binding,” whilst the Port Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that it had officially informed the German counterpart of its position. 

Representatives from the region of Darfur participated as observers, whilst the region’s Governor, Minni Arcua Minawi, criticized the nature of the invitations, stating that the Berlin Conference “will not achieve any significant results.” 

Furthermore, Human Rights Organizations, including the Emergency Lawyers human rights group, are calling for the Conference to produce practical recommendations, including ensuring aid access and creating safe humanitarian corridors. 

The Ministerial Conference is being held in Berlin as the Sudanese war continues and, in turn, the humanitarian situation rapidly deteriorates, whilst the Conference’s success hinges on the international actors’ ability to exert real pressure on the Sudanese parties to prompt engagement in serious negotiations.