Some of the most significant work being done on the ground in Sudan is being done by Sudanese organizations, emergency rooms and resistance committees, and there is a need for direct support. This has been articulated by USAID administrator Samantha Power and others, who realize and acknowledge that the international community needs to figure out creative ways to get direct funding and support to organizations on the ground that are providing medical and other services at the grassroots, neighbourhood and community levels. There are ways to do that. They're going to take the resolve, creative thinking and coordination of the international community, but there is absolutely a need.
There is also a need for support for the civilian coalition outside of Sudan. There is a very credible coalition, Taqaddum, which just held its founding conference, as well as other civil society groups that are at the forefront of pushing for negotiations. They are absolutely open to any platform, any forum or any pathway to begin talks. They need support and, I would add, protection. That's for members of the organizations within Sudan and those outside of Sudan, who are internally subject to persecution and targeting by both sides and who have externally faced a lot of challenges with funding, travel and residency. They really need support to conduct their basic operations. The fact is, the democratic future of Sudan will ultimately be negotiated by these actors, and whatever support can be given to allow them to operate effectively and safely will be welcome and productive.