Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman, General Commander of the Sudanese Army, First Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, discussed on Monday evening in the capital Khartoum with leaders of the Democratic Bloc coalition arrangements for launching a national political dialogue inside Sudan, while in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, meetings of political and civil forces under the Nairobi Declaration continue to discuss ways to end the war and address the humanitarian crisis.

Sources who participated in the meeting with al-Burhan told Asharq Al-Awsat that the meeting focused on launching a track for a comprehensive civil political dialogue led by Sudanese forces from within the country, away from any guardianship or interference from any party, based on practical measures to prepare the political climate to ensure the participation of various parties and the success of the dialogue process.

The sources added that al-Burhan affirmed during the meeting his commitment not to interfere in the political dialogue track, expressing no objection to the participation of political forces outside Sudan in the upcoming dialogue. He also pledged to take all necessary measures to provide protection for anyone wishing to engage in the political process inside the country, and to guarantee freedom of movement and no hindrance to anyone wishing to travel abroad.

The sources clarified that the meeting did not address proposals put forward by some individuals and groups regarding dissolving the current transitional authority institutions, foremost the Sovereignty Council, or mandating al-Burhan to assume the presidency. The Sovereignty Council Chairman praised the role played by the Democratic Bloc, appreciating its political activity and movements from within the country.

For his part, the Democratic Bloc leader and head of the Democratic Alliance for Social Justice, Mubarak Ardol, described the meeting with al-Burhan as 'constructive and positive,' expecting it to yield tangible results in the coming days. Ardol said in a post on platform 'X' that the bloc is aware of the magnitude of challenges facing Sudan and will continue to work with a spirit of national responsibility to contribute to getting the country out of its crisis and reaching safety.

Ardol reaffirmed the Democratic Bloc's adherence to the Addis Ababa agreement, reached last June with the Democratic Civil Alliance of Revolutionary Forces 'Sumoud' and other political groups, under the auspices of the international Quint mechanism, which includes the African Union, the Arab League, the European Union, the United Nations, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), stressing that the bloc 'will not abandon this agreement.'

Today's meeting in Khartoum with the Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, First Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, was constructive and positive, and will yield positive results in the coming days. The Democratic Bloc will fully play its role in this critical stage, aware of the magnitude of risks and challenges, as well as the available opportunities...

— Mubarak Ardol (@MubarakArdol) July 20, 2026

According to the sources, the Democratic Bloc intends to hold a series of internal meetings in the coming days to formulate a unified vision on developments of the national dialogue, in addition to conducting consultations and contacts with various political and civil forces inside and outside Sudan, aiming to agree on measures to prepare the political climate and mechanisms to address the government regarding them.

Al-Burhan had announced last May arrangements for launching a comprehensive political dialogue inside the country, through which Sudanese would decide to complete the democratic civilian transition path, affirming that the government would provide everything necessary for the success of this process.

The Democratic Bloc coalition includes a number of political forces and armed movements, most notably the 'Democratic Unionist Party' (Original) led by Jafar al-Mirghani's wing, the 'Sudan Liberation Movement' led by Minni Arko Minawi, and the 'Justice and Equality Movement' led by Gibril Ibrahim, along with other political and civil forces and parties.

Nairobi Meetings

In a parallel political track, forces of the 'Sudanese Declaration of Principles' concluded their meetings in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, held from July 19 to 21, with the participation of political and civil parties and forces, to discuss developments of the war, humanitarian conditions, and the political process in Sudan.

The final statement condemned the escalation of risks of military confrontations in the city of El Obeid and its surroundings, and in the states of Kordofan, Darfur, and Blue Nile, reiterating the participating forces' support for efforts to document violations through independent international mechanisms to monitor and verify crimes according to international law. The participants also discussed the course of regional and international efforts aimed at ending the war, considering that they need substantial revisions based on the principles contained in the roadmap approved by the 'International Quartet' in coordination with the 'Quint Mechanism'.

Head of the 'Sudan Movement' Abdel Wahid al-Nur participating in the Nairobi meetings 'Sumoud Alliance Media'

The statement stressed that any political process must be Sudanese-led and owned, enhancing the role of democratic civil forces and preventing warring parties from imposing their agendas or controlling the outcomes of the political process.

The participating forces renewed their rejection of the participation of the 'National Congress' and the 'Islamic Movement' and their fronts in any political process, holding them primarily responsible for undermining state institutions, igniting wars, and obstructing democratic transition, affirming that 'there is no place for them in Sudan's future.' The meeting adopted a shared political vision for dealing with the next phase, including a three-month action plan focusing on enhancing coordination among components of the 'Declaration of Principles' through humanitarian, popular, political, media, diplomatic, and legal tracks.