Sudan's leader offers legal safeguards for talks, bars former militia chief's comeback

In a bid to advance a stalled political

In a bid to advance a stalled political process, Sudan's top general, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has announced temporary legal immunity for those taking part in a planned national dialogue. The move, disclosed during a speech on Saturday, is intended to create a safer space for discussions aimed at resolving the country's deep-rooted crisis.

Al-Burhan, who heads the sovereign council, stressed that the immunity would apply only to the dialogue's participants and would not cover crimes involving serious human rights violations. He also made clear that the offer does not extend to his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The general ruled out any possibility of Hemedti returning to a political or military role, saying that those who ``burned the country'' should not be part of its future. His remarks come as fighting between the army and the RSF, which erupted in April 2023, continues to inflict heavy civilian casualties and displacement.

The proposed dialogue is seen as part of

The proposed dialogue is seen as part of a broader effort to chart a way out of the conflict, though previous attempts at negotiation have repeatedly failed. Analysts note that al-Burhan's pledge of immunity may help attract some political factions, but skepticism remains high given the scale of violence and distrust between the warring sides.

Meanwhile, the international community has urged both parties to return to the negotiating table, with humanitarian agencies warning of a severe famine risk. Al-Burhan's latest statement signals a desire to present himself as open to a civilian-led solution, yet his insistence on excluding Hemedti underscores the deep personal and institutional rivalries that continue to block any meaningful breakthrough.