Civilian Coalition Accuses Quintet Mechanism Of Undermining Sudan Dialogue

Khartoum, August 5, 2026 - Babiker Faisal, head of the executive bureau of the Unionist Alliance within the Somoud coalition, accused the Quintet Mechanism on Sudan of undermining efforts to form a preparatory committee for a Sudanese political process. The Quintet - the African Union, United Nations, European Union, Arab League and IGAD - has sought to bridge divisions among Sudanese political forces over the agenda, venue and participants for dialogue.

Somoud, Tasis and other parties and civil society groups boycotted consultations in Addis Ababa this month over disagreements with the mechanism's approach and the selection of participants. Faisal said Sudanese coalitions had previously agreed with the mechanism to create a preparatory framework that would design the political process, set the agenda, identify participants and define regional and international roles.

He argued that the mechanism later departed from that understanding by inviting groups and individuals without clear criteria, including forces aligned with the army. The dispute highlights the difficulty of launching an inclusive civilian process while the army and RSF remain at war and political blocs remain divided over whether to include groups linked to the former ruling National Congress Party, the Islamic Movement or the RSF-aligned Tasis coalition.

For investors, the deadlock underscores the absence of a credible transition framework and the continued risk of fragmented authority.