For the first time since last October’s military coup, and following mediation by the United States and Saudi Arabia, the coalition of civilian forces that co-governed Sudan during its fragile democratic transition met on June 9 with the generals who deposed them and seized power in the country.

The informal talks, which took place in parallel to a now-suspended UN- and African Union-driven political process that failed to gain momentum, was meant to exchange views on how to solve the current political crisis in the country. But the move has been strongly rejected by Sudan’s main pro-democracy civilian groups.

The meeting, held at the residence of the Saudi ambassador in Khartoum, brought together members of what remains of the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) and representatives of the military coup authorities, including the deputy chairman of the contested Sovereign Council ruling Sudan, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

According to a statement from the US Embassy in Sudan, the talks aimed to build trust and confidence among the two parties, and also addressed ways to initiate a process that leads to a renewed democratic transition.