Sudan's Prime Minister Kamil Idris has outlined his government's vision for ending the country's devastating civil war through a comprehensive peace initiative that prioritizes civilian rule restoration and international cooperation.
Writing in Al Jazeera, Idris detailed the Hope Government's multi-track approach to resolving the conflict that has displaced millions and created regional instability across the Horn of Africa. The plan calls for a comprehensive ceasefire under international supervision, transitional justice mechanisms, and a pathway to elected civilian government.
The Hope Government initiative, launched by Idris's administration, represents Sudan's most detailed peace proposal since fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. The plan addresses both immediate humanitarian needs and longer-term political reconstruction.
The initiative calls for a comprehensive ceasefire under joint supervision by international and regional institutions, alongside the assembly of rebel militia forces in designated locations. It also proposes facilitating the voluntary return of displaced people and refugees to their regions, accompanied by humanitarian aid distribution.
Crucially, the plan includes a transitional justice model that balances forgiveness and reconciliation while ensuring accountability for war crimes. The political track focuses on establishing an elected government through Sudanese-led dialogue on governance structures and peaceful power transfers.
"We do not want to return to the day before the war. We want to leap beyond it and benefit from the mistakes of the past," Idris stated.
The conflict's origins trace back to April 13, 2023, when tensions escalated dramatically. According to Idris, the war began when the RSF militia violated military protocols and moved to surround the airport in the northern city of Merowe, after transferring heavy weapons and thousands of fighters to Khartoum.
"The spark was ignited by the Rapid Support Forces militia when it violated army traditions and laws and moved to surround the airport in the northern Sudanese city of Merowe on April 13, 2023," the Prime Minister explained.
Idris characterized the government's military response as defensive, stating that war was never the preferred option but came as part of the army's constitutional duty to protect Sudanese territory.
"War was never the preferred option for the Sudanese government. It came as an act of self-defence and as part of the Sudanese army's constitutional duty to protect Sudanese territory and prevent the Sudanese will from being hijacked or held hostage by international and regional powers."
Regional implications of Sudan's war extend far beyond its borders, affecting Horn of Africa stability through refugee flows and security concerns. The conflict has lasted more than 1,100 days, creating one of the world's largest displacement crises and disrupting trade routes critical to the region.
Idris accused unnamed regional powers of supporting the RSF as part of a broader conspiracy to control Sudan's resources and decision-making. He criticized recent international meetings, including a Berlin conference marking three years of war, for excluding the Sudanese government and civilian stakeholders.
The Prime Minister expressed particular frustration with external mediation efforts that sideline his government, arguing that meaningful peace requires direct engagement with Sudan's legitimate institutions.
