Sudan peace talks are facing new questions over the exclusion of the Sudan Founding Alliance, known as TASIS.
The issue follows three days of international talks in Khartoum.
A five-member international group held meetings with Sudanese officials and political actors. It includes the African Union, United Nations, European Union, Arab League and IGAD.
The group said it supports Sudan’s unity and territorial integrity. It also rejected parallel governments.
However, TASIS remains outside the current process.
This has raised an important question. Can Sudan peace talks succeed if major actors remain outside the negotiating framework?
Sudan peace talks continue in Khartoum
The international group met SAF commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan during its visit.
It also met Prime Minister Kamil Idris and other officials.
In addition, the delegation held talks with the Democratic Bloc. It met a committee preparing for a proposed national Sudanese dialogue.
The group said the visit aimed to hear views from inside Sudan.
It also wants to connect local initiatives with talks taking place outside the country.
Above all, the group called for an inclusive and Sudanese-led political process.
It also said there is no military solution to the war.
TASIS remains outside Sudan peace talks
TASIS did not take part in the Khartoum meetings.
The alliance has established the Government of Peace and Unity in areas outside SAF control.
Forces linked to TASIS include the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North.
However, the international group has rejected parallel governing structures.
TASIS has criticised the current approach to international mediation.
It argues that peace efforts should not focus mainly on institutions linked to one side of the conflict.
The alliance says other influential Sudanese actors must also have a place in the political process.
TASIS and the civilian Sumoud coalition also stayed away from Quintet consultations in August.
Different visions for Sudan
The dispute reflects wider disagreements about Sudan’s future.
SAF and its allies oppose the TASIS-backed administration.
They argue that parallel institutions could deepen Sudan’s political and territorial divisions.
TASIS figures reject that argument.
On September 9, TASIS-linked political figure Ahmed al-Tijani Sayed Ahmed presented a different view.
He said the alliance does not seek to divide Sudan.
Instead, he described its goal as building civilian authority and eventually creating a single professional national army.
However, this remains the position of TASIS and its supporters.
Can talks work without major actors?
International mediators now face a difficult challenge.
Sudan remains divided by war. Different military and political forces hold influence across different parts of the country.
SAF controls Khartoum, Port Sudan and large areas of northern, eastern and central Sudan.
Meanwhile, the RSF and other TASIS-linked forces hold control or influence in significant areas, particularly in Darfur.
As a result, mediators must decide how to engage the different sides.
Talking to TASIS would not necessarily mean recognising its government.
Instead, engagement could provide a way to include an influential political and military camp in future negotiations.
Other civilian and political groups also remain outside existing initiatives.
Therefore, any wider peace process may need a mechanism that gives different Sudanese actors a voice.
International group calls for civilian government
The international group says it wants an end to the fighting.
It has also called for civilian protection and a return to democratic civilian government.
At the same time, it says Sudan must remain united.
Achieving all these goals will not be easy.
More than three years of war have changed the political and military situation across Sudan.
For that reason, the debate is no longer only about competing governments.
The bigger question is who should have a seat at the negotiating table.
A lasting settlement may ultimately depend on whether Sudan’s major political, civilian and military actors can be brought into a credible peace process.