Doha: Sudan's Justice Minister Abdullah Dirif announced on Sunday his government's readiness to engage in political dialogue to resolve the country's ongoing 20-month conflict. However, he emphasized that any political settlement hinges on the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) disarming, withdrawing from major urban areas, and relinquishing security control to state authorities.

According to Anadolu Agency - English, Dirif made these remarks during a discussion panel at the Doha Forum 2025, where he expressed that peace efforts are hindered as long as the RSF maintains a presence in cities and operates with heavy weaponry. He questioned the feasibility of discussing peace and truth while weapons remain in the hands of those he described as criminals and terrorists.

Dirif outlined Khartoum's conditions for a ceasefire and political talks, stating that the RSF must agree to disarm in designated areas and vacate cities, allowing police forces to assume control. He reiterated the government's openness to both regional and international mediation efforts but accused the RSF of failing to honor previous agreements.

Dirif referenced the Jeddah Declaration, an initiative mediated by the US and Saudi Arabia in May 2023, which aimed to protect civilians. Despite several ceasefire agreements, repeated violations by both the Sudanese army and the RSF, along with mutual accusations, led to Washington and Riyadh suspending their mediation efforts.

On October 26, the RSF seized El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, and faced accusations of committing massacres against civilians, resulting in the displacement of more than 40,000 people, as reported by local and international sources. The RSF currently controls all five Darfur states out of Sudan's 18 states, while the army holds the majority of the remaining 13 states, including the capital, Khartoum.

The civil war, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the RSF, has resulted in thousands of fatalities and displaced millions of people.