Africa: IGAD Envoy to Sudan - 'Quintet to Convene Meeting for Those Absent From Berlin Conf'

IGAD Envoy Announces Follow-Up Talks for Sudanese Factions Absent from Berlin Conference

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) special envoy to Sudan, Lawrence Korbandy, has said that an international 'quintet' group will convene further meetings next month to include all Sudanese factions that were absent from the Third International Conference on Sudan, held in Berlin on May 15. The announcement, made in an interview with Radio Dabanga, signals a continued push for a comprehensive, Sudanese-led dialogue amid criticism over the conference's inclusivity.

Coverage Comparison

The news was reported by AllAfrica, which drew on an interview conducted by Radio Dabanga with the IGAD envoy. Both reports provide nearly identical accounts, with no conflicting factual information. The framing in both reports was neutral and informative, focusing on the envoy's statements rather than on analysis or commentary. The reports highlighted the planned follow-up meetings, the composition of the quintet, and the response from groups that rejected the Berlin conference.

Key Claims

Follow-up meetings planned: According to the reports, the quintet — comprising the African Union, IGAD, the United Nations, the European Union, and the League of Arab States — will organize more advanced meetings next month. These meetings are intended to bring together all Sudanese who did not take part in the Berlin gathering. The envoy stated that the quintet would support the formation of a Sudanese committee to determine the programme, agenda, and participants for the dialogue.

Sudanese-led process emphasized: Korbandy was quoted as saying that the quintet supports a comprehensive Sudanese-led dialogue with full Sudanese ownership. He stressed that neither the quintet nor IGAD would impose an agenda, and that participants and topics would be decided by Sudanese themselves, without exclusion unless agreed upon by them.

Rejection by armed-forces-aligned groups: The reports noted that 25 political and civic groups aligned with the armed forces, most notably the Justice and Equality Movement, rejected the Berlin conference due to what they described as 'selective invitations.' Other civilian groups also criticized the conference for lacking inclusivity.

Funding pledges from Berlin: The reports also mentioned that the Berlin conference resulted in funding pledges totaling €1.5 billion, with more than half coming from the European Union and its member states.

Perspectives

The IGAD envoy's statements reflect the international community's effort to broaden the dialogue and include all Sudanese voices. Korbandy described the joint appeal from the Berlin conference as a positive step forward, moving beyond previous 'red lines' that had prevented different factions from meeting. He noted that, for the first time, Sudanese political forces, civil society, women, and youth came together.

However, the rejection by 25 groups aligned with the armed forces underscores the deep divisions and the challenge of achieving an inclusive process. These groups' criticism of selective invitations highlights the sensitivity around who participates in peace talks and the need for a process that is widely accepted by all stakeholders.

The planned follow-up meetings appear to be a direct response to these criticisms, aiming to address the concerns raised by those who felt excluded. The success of these efforts will depend on the willingness of all parties to engage constructively and on the ability of the quintet to facilitate a truly Sudanese-owned process.