AU mediator slams delay of Sudan power-sharing talks

By Mohammed Amin

KHARTOUM (AA) – African Union (AU) mediator Mohamed Elhassan Lebbat called on Sudan’s ruling military council and opposition to conclude their power-sharing talks without a delay.

Talks between the Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) alliance on a draft constitution were halted after the killing of six child protesters in the central city of Al-Obeid in South Kordofan state on Monday.

"The AU mediation does not accept any kind of delay in finalizing the deal as it serves the interests of the country and de-escalate the current tension,” he told a press conference in Khartoum on Wednesday.

"The delay in signing an agreement will not reflect only on Sudan but also on the region and the entire African continent,” he warned.

The AU mediator went on to call for launching a transparent investigation into the killing of child protesters, who were demanding a speedy handover of power to a civilian administration.

Sudan has remained in turmoil since April when the military ousted long-serving President Omar al-Bashir after months of protests against his 30-year rule.