Khartoum: The National Professionals' Association has emphasized the importance of a national dialogue as a crucial means to tackle Sudan's political, constitutional, and societal challenges. The association asserts that such dialogue must pave the way for a new social contract and a genuine national project founded on consensus over the principles governing the state, rather than a mere competition for power and wealth.
According to Sudan News Agency, Chairperson Mariam Al-Hindi responded to inquiries from the Quintet Committee regarding national dialogue, societal reconciliation, and participation. Al-Hindi highlighted that dialogue has become a demand from the Sudanese populace to address the nation's fundamental and existential issues. She insisted that it should not devolve into a political deal for dividing power and wealth but should instead serve as a path towards establishing a new social contract and a genuine national project.
Mariam Al-Hindi emphasized the importance of sustainable peace, asserting that it must preserve the dignity of the state and society. She noted that true peace cannot be achieved at the expense of dignity or through begging, and that peace, like war, begins with words.
On the topic of national reconciliation, Al-Hindi stated that it should coincide with the creation of a new social contract, focusing on addressing the consequences of war, rebuilding trust among communities impacted by conflict, strengthening the social fabric, and promoting forgiveness and tolerance. She warned against forcing society to accept political forces that are rejected by segments of the population.
Al-Hindi stressed the importance of prioritizing communities directly affected by the war in the dialogue process. She noted that the presence of political actors outside Sudan does not necessarily mean they represent the affected individuals inside the country. While achieving 100-percent national consensus is unrealistic, she suggested proceeding based on majority agreement on the fundamental rules governing the next phase.
The professionals' association underscored that the dialogue should extend beyond negotiations over power and address the root causes of the war while building national consensus on the structure and future of the Sudanese state.
Al-Hindi mentioned that Sudanese political forces have engaged in numerous meetings with the Quintet Committee over the past year. These interactions have helped clarify the nature of the crisis and encouraged the committee to reassess the military, humanitarian, and political situation from within Sudan, rather than relying on closed-door meetings and international forums that may not fully reflect the situation.
She highlighted that direct engagement with Sudanese stakeholders has contributed to a better understanding of the crisis and may aid the committee in pursuing a more neutral and equitable mediation role.
Al-Hindi noted that dialogue has historically been a method for Sudanese to address political, constitutional, and societal crises since independence in 1956. She believes it can facilitate a new political phase that learns from past mistakes and shifts the country from crisis management to state-building and from power competition to consensus on governing rules. She also called for prioritizing the fight against corruption and nepotism.
Al-Hindi also stressed the importance of addressing women's issues in the national dialogue and the impact of war on women. She submitted a comprehensive dossier on women's concerns to the Quintet Committee, building on a previous submission made in Addis Ababa in mid-February.
In conclusion, the head of the National Professionals' Association emphasized that women's participation and concerns should be integral to the dialogue agenda, alongside clearly defined objectives and a process that is genuinely Sudanese-led and broadly inclusive.