The role of civil society in the national dialogue

The role of civil society in the national dialogue

 

 

 

Prelude:

 

Sudan is currently at a crossroads. The political, security, social and economic realities have become unstable and endure many unpredictable surprises. Tribal conflicts and war have all become the headlines in Sudan's newspapers and satellite channels, as they are in many newspapers and channels in the world. Complexity is a feature that has been associated with the nature of the Sudanese landscape, which increased the degree of frustration of not only the Sudanese citizen, but all political and social actors at home. The scene becomes even more difficult when the political, security and social paradoxes are clearly visible in all seasons, yet no one is ashamed or daring to denounce the result. The first and last loser is the homeland and the citizen.

 

We note the restlessness of many opposition forces, the youth groups (within their independent parties), and the exodus of rural people to cities, creating an unpredictable situation in the event of any insecurity in light of the threat of armed movements and talk about the proliferation of weapons in conflict areas and even entering the capital. Sudan's relations with the outside are besieged and narrowed day by day so that the regime is no longer able to make a breakthrough estimated without initiating internal concessions first through the management of a positive dialogue leading to political consensus with the opposition forces to strengthen the regime's ability to maneuver and share externally. The uncertainty of the situation in the south and the resulting discharge on Sudan also complicates the situation. So the way out, as we have pointed out, begins to turn inward and humility over a national vision and a new roadmap that actually moves from the crisis box to the solution box.

 

 

 

Concept of National Dialogue

 

National dialogue is a concept intended to deliberate between the various political and social forces in their views on the main issues of the homeland as the best way to overcome the dispute and crises peacefully and in return reject all forms of exclusion and verbal and physical violence as a way to solve the national problems.

 

The National Dialogue is a mechanism designed to transfer and expand political participation to include not only political and military parties and elites but also civil society institutions, organizations and symbols.

 

· The aim of the national dialogue is to liberate the political monopoly of the issues of the homeland by one party or parties such as: elites, parties and armed movements.

 

• National dialogue is not necessarily an abstract or ideal democratic process, but more often the participants are selected by appointment or selection through colleges, blocs or consensual alliances.

 

• The national dialogue process is not governed by well-established rules or procedures, but it works to design and develop its rules and procedures as needed and agreed.

 

Therefore, the national dialogue process seeks to broaden participation and go beyond the monopoly of political and military parties and elites on the issues of the homeland, although it does not provide a complete democratic environment for the selection of participants, the agenda of the dialogue and the approach and results of the negotiations.

 

Factors affecting the legitimacy and effectiveness of the national dialogue process:

 

First: The size and components of the national dialogue process:

 

· Frequent or few issues of national dialogue?

 

· Participating Parties and how are their representatives selected in the process?

 

Second: The Powers and Powers of the National Dialogue Process:

 

• The relationship of these authorities with the existing state institutions such as parliament and government?

 

· To what extent are the mandatory outcomes and outcomes of the national dialogue process mandatory for participating Parties and existing State institutions?

 

Third: The Independence of the National Dialogue Process

 

• Do the results and decisions of the national dialogue process need to be approved by the existing state institutions or are they final?

 

General remarks and examples of outcomes and decisions of national dialogue processes:

 

• In some, transitional governments have been formed or transitional constitutions or parliaments have been established

 

· Some of them contributed to the involvement of actors in the political process and fostered future negotiations between them (ie, the role of the national dialogue is to build trust between the parties and organize the negotiation process between them)

 

· In some of them, authorities are discussed in smaller circles of political elites, but the process of dialogue itself takes place on a larger scale (Yemen).

 

Some of the mechanisms of the national dialogue have exceeded their powers and claimed sovereignty and overthrew the existing regimes (and the danger of this step if the regime refuses to accept the results of the operation and resorted to force and violence to defend itself and its authority)

 

• The national dialogue process needs clarity and objectivity in the powers and powers of the dialogue mechanism, as well as a precise definition of its relationship with the existing regime and its institutions before the process begins. It should be borne in mind that the parties do not convey the text but be guided and taken as needed or adapted to suit the Sudanese reality if necessary. In all cases, the following important questions must be answered before entering the national dialogue process:

 

What is the objective that the national dialogue wants to achieve?

 

ü What are the powers and powers granted to the national dialogue mechanism?

 

ü What is the relationship between the national dialogue mechanism and existing institutions?

 

(Answering these questions clearly makes it very easy to mobilize the public and civil society to support dialogue and ensure its success.)

 

National Dialogue Mechanism: Tasks and Powers

 

Assuming the basis of the composition of the committee or mechanism, it expresses the will of most of the main parties concerned to participate in the national dialogue and should take into account their consent and participation and reflect in their composition the diversity, diversity and inclusiveness of the participants in the dialogue process;

 

ü Define the criteria for participation in the dialogue and the method of selecting participants

 

ü Supervise the selection process for participants

 

ü Develop a draft agenda for dialogue and prepare participants and qualify them to negotiate according to the agenda and issues