Sudanese political groups and armed movements expressed cautious optimism on Friday after a phone call between General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan’s military, and Mohammed bin Zayed, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They hope the conversation will contribute to ending the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
On Thursday, the UAE’s official news agency reported that Bin Zayed received a call from al-Burhan. The discussion focused on both countries’ relationship and recent developments in Sudan. Bin Zayed reportedly pledged his nation’s support for efforts to halt the war.
Earlier on Friday, Sudan’s Sovereign Council media office revealed that al-Burhan raised concerns with Bin Zayed regarding accusations by the Sudanese public that the UAE supports the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group involved in the conflict.
Reacting to the phone call, Sudanese political figures viewed it positively. The leader of the Democratic Revolutionary Current Yasir Arman called the conversation “an important step towards peace” and urged al-Burhan to prioritize the Geneva negotiations to open humanitarian corridors and ease civilian suffering.
Similarly, Babikir Faisal, head of the Federal Gathering’s executive office, described the call as “a step in the right direction.” He expressed hope for broader regional involvement, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the African Union, to complement the efforts of the UAE in reviving talks at the Jeddah forum.
“We hope the UAE’s involvement will facilitate a return to negotiations in Jeddah,” Faisal added. He cautioned against potential pressures that could derail progress, emphasizing that this step “would facilitate the cessation of war.”
Sharif Mohamed Osman, political secretary of the Sudanese Congress Party, viewed the communication as “a significant turning point”. He highlighted past attempts by the UAE and Egypt to mediate between the military and the RSF, which he said had yielded promising progress on principles for a political solution.
Additionally, the head of the Umma Party, Mubarak Al-Fadil, tweeted on the “X” platform, “I welcome the phone call between Lieutenant General Al-Burhan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.” He expressed hope that the phone talks would be a good beginning to end the suffering of the Sudanese people.
Al-Fadil, one of the political leaders supporting the army, explained that the call between Al-Burhan and Bin Zayed did not come out of nowhere, pointing to regional and international development. which necessitated ending the conflict in Sudan.
For his part, the spokesperson of the Revolutionary Front, Osama Saeed, voiced their support for this important step. He further called for following three additional steps, including severing ties with the Islamic Movement, purging the army of its elements, remaining steadfast on this approach without retreating, and entering into direct negotiations with the Rapid Support Forces to reach a peace agreement.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Sudanese Alliance, Mohamed Al-Samani, said that the call between al-Burhan and Bin Zayed came to break the deadlock between Sudan and the UAE, which he claimed used the Rapid Support Forces to kill Sudanese and destroy the Sudanese state.
Al-Samani added, “Finally, the UAE realized that its support for this militia would not achieve its objectives in the region. It wanted to enter through the door, knowing that all evidence and proof are against it.”
Sudan accuses the UAE of financing the RSF and supporting them with weapons and military equipment through Chad and the Central African Republic.
Some media outlets reported that a meeting, facilitated by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, is expected to take place in the coming days in Addis Ababa between Al-Burhan and Bin Zayed.
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