Govt 16 Feb accepted African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) invitation to 16-18 March Addis Ababa meeting with armed opposition groups; same day announced indefinite extension of National Dialogue (ND). Govt “dry season” campaigns in “Two Areas” (S Kordofan and Blue Nile states) continued with aerial bombing and ground offensives involving Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and locally recruited militia. Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) 17 Feb claimed it killed sixteen govt soldiers in attack, one SPLM-N member also killed; 21 Feb claimed it killed 200 govt soldiers during govt offensive in Blue Nile state; govt did not confirm military casualty figures, latter figure believed to be inflated. SPLM-N 26 Feb claimed it killed 23 govt soldiers during ambush of logistical convoy in S Kordofan state. Some 40 opposition representatives, including former ruling National Congress Party (NCP) notables Dr Ghazi Salahuddin Atabani and Al-Tayyib Mustafa, 23 Feb announced formation of Future Forces of Change (FFC) political coalition, largely comprising parties that quit National Dialogue process.

Informal talks 22-23 Jan in Germany between govt and opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) on South Kordofan and Blue Nile made no progress on issues of National Dialogue (ND), security and humanitarian arrangements. Govt 23 Jan opened talks with opposition Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minawi (SLM-MM) in Ethiopia. Ruling National Congress Party (NCP) official 12 Jan claimed govt open to early elections after ND. Local security forces 10 Jan killed twelve during IDP protests against pro-govt militia violence in West Darfur state. Security forces mid-month clashed with rebel Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW) in Central Darfur state. Govt 4 Jan severed diplomatic ties with Iran over Tehran attack on Saudi embassy (see Iran). Following talks with South Sudan, President Bashir agreed to renegotiate fees for oil transit in light of global price drop; Sudan-South Sudan border reopened 27 Jan, closed prior to South Sudan’s 2011 secession (see South Sudan).

Govt, opposition claimed AU-supported informal talks 16-18 Dec made some progress, main issues still unclear; both sides agreed to resume discussions this month. SPLM-N and Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP) 26 Dec agreed to boycott the forthcoming National  Dialogue preparatory  meeting if “Sudan Call” opposition group formed late 2014 is excluded. Govt 31 Dec announced National Dialogue (ND) extension until 10 Feb, ceasefire until 31 Jan; opposition Darfuri New Justice and Equality Movement (NJEM) 20 Dec joined ND; SPLM-N 19 Dec denied plans to join. Fighting between govt and rebels continued in Blue Nile and S Kordofan. Govt forces 13 Dec captured Sudan Liberation Movement-Abdel Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW) spokesperson in central Darfur; govt 21 Dec suspended execution of seven members of opposition Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

African Union-supported negotiations between govt and rebel groups from Darfur, S Kordofan and Blue Nile held 19-22 Nov in Addis Ababa: parties disagreed on definition of ceasefire; govt refused to allow humanitarian aid into rebel-held territory, proposed separate deal with SPLM-N on S Kordofan and Blue Nile. SPLM-N demanded comprehensive agreement, criticised govt decision to exclude political opposition from National Dialogue. Govt 20 Nov accused AUHIP of supporting SPLM-N in negotiations. AUHIP 23 Nov announced preparatory meeting for national dialogue to take place 7 Dec. SPLM-N 20 Nov reportedly repelled govt attack in Blue Nile, claimed govt base in Soda seized; 22 Nov called for international support of demand for humanitarian access to war-torn areas. Govt 24 Nov announced offensive in Darfur, S Kordofan and Blue Nile; SPLM-N 29 Nov mobilised troops.

Opposition National Dialogue (ND) conference started 10 Oct in Khartoum: majority of political opposition and armed groups boycotted conference despite intense govt lobbying. President Bashir 10 Oct expressed readiness to extend two-month ceasefire announced 22 Sept into permanent cessation of hostilities if armed opposition participates in ND. Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) 4 Oct prevented two opposition leaders from travelling to Paris to attend opposition talks with Western envoys; 28 Oct arrested three opposition figures. Govt continued to reject AU call to hold pre-dialogue preparatory meeting with armed and opposition groups in Addis Ababa. Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) 16 Oct reportedly deployed some 300 troops to Aden in Yemen as part of Saudi-led “Decisive Storm” operations against Huthi rebels.

Following meeting with Troika (U.S., UK and Norway), opposition Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) coalition 15 Sept released statement affirming it is prepared to sign six-month cessation of hostilities agreement in Darfur, S Kordofan and Blue Nile, said it would participate in National Dialogue (ND) preparatory meeting but rejected current ND arrangements. President Bashir 22 Sept announced rebel leaders who participate in ND to be pardoned, declared govt willingness for ceasefire in conflict regions. Bashir 4 Sept visited China, signed contracts to buy ships and civilian planes, Sudan awarded China concessions for gas exploration. U.S. Special Envoy Donald Booth visited Khartoum 27-30 Aug, met with FM Ghandour on National Dialogue, sanctions and regional affairs. Khartoum-based members of paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) 5 Sept rebelled over delayed salaries, erected roadblocks.

National Dialogue (ND) committee headed by President Bashir 5 Aug announced process would recommence 10 Oct. President Bashir 20 Aug offered rebels two-month ceasefire and amnesty to join ND. Head of AU High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) Thabo Mbeki, tasked with mediating ND, addressed AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) following 25 August consultations with opposition parties and armed groups; AUPSC called for preparatory conference to be held in Addis Ababa to create conditions necessary for govt’s own ND process within Sudan. Security forces reportedly arrested some seventeen opposition members throughout month, most affiliated with Sudanese Congress Party (SCP). Sudan Revolutionary Front rebel coalition 26 Aug threatened to boycott current ND process and launch alternative. Fighting and civilian displacement increased in Blue Nile state as Sudanese Armed Forces clashed with SPLA-N rebels. Fighting continued in S Kordofan; SPLA-N mid-Aug announced seizure of strategic Gadier and Abu Grain garrisons. Former intelligence chief Awad Mohamed Ahemd bin Awaf appointed defence minister 23 Aug. U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Donald Booth 25 Aug visited Khartoum in first such visit for two years, held meeting with FM Ibrahim Ghandour.

President Bashir 2 July announced negotiations on National Dialogue will resume following end of Ramadan mid-July: Islamist Just Peace Forum announced it will rejoin dialogue, Islamist Reform Now said it will not participate. Sectarian Umma Party leader Sadig al-Mahdi 7 July called for new process supported by UNSC Chapter VII resolution; SPLM-N also called for new process, abandoning current AUHIP mediation. Clashes between SPLM-N and govt forces continued at reduced level due to rainy season in S Kordofan and Blue Nile; use of cluster bombs reported in Thabo county, S Kordofan 10 July. Govt 5 July announced deployment of 1,800 troops and police in E Darfur to prevent clashes between Ma’alia and Rizeigat ethnic groups. Sec Gen of radical Islamist Tayar El Umma El Wahida group rearrested 1 July several days after release from prison after reaffirming his support for Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIL).

President Bashir inaugurated for 3rd term 3 June, formed new govt comprised primarily of trusted military and security figures and demoting or excluding several key figures from Islamic Movement including former FM Ali Karti. Karti replaced by pragmatist Ibrahim Ghandour, viewed by several diplomats as reformer. Former Janjaweed militia commander and leader of Darfurian Arab Mahameed clan Musa Hilal attended inauguration suggesting rapprochement with Khartoum. Govt’s “Decisive Summer” campaign against rebel groups in Darfur, Blue Nile and S Kordofan continued with growing contributions by paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Focus increasingly switching to S Kordofan and Blue Nile after April’s decisive RSF victory over Justice and Equality Movement in S Darfur. SPLM-N rebels 14 June claimed govt assault on Kalgom Blue Nile repulsed. UN 29 June extended UNAMID peacekeeping mandate for further year.

National Dialogue Committee comprising govt and govt-allied parties and “7+7” opposition groups met 10 May. Military offensive against SPLM-N in Blue Nile continued: UN resident coordinator Geert Cappelaere 27 May expressed concerns about significant civilian displacement including forced relocations, said humanitarian needs rapidly rising. President Bashir, Defence Minister Abdel Rahim Mohammed Hussein and intelligence service director Mohamed Atta travelled to al-Nakhara, S Darfur, following late-April defeat of JEM rebels in area; at least 30 reported killed, over 70 injured in renewed clashes mid-May between Rizeigat and Ma’aliya tribes in Abu Karinka, East Darfur; govt said UNAMID peacekeeping mission exit plans not affected since mandate does not include resolution of tribal conflicts.