Pan-African body welcomes Sudanese power-sharing deal

By Addis Getachew

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) - The Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Monday welcomed "the initialing of the constitutional decree by the Sudanese political actors following the declaration already adopted by the parties".

"This development lays the foundations for a democratic transition with a civilian-led government and is an important achievement for Africa in its desire to solve its own problems," the commission said in a press release.

The Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat congratulated "the political actors, civilian as well as military, who have overcome their differences by placing the country’s interests above all other considerations".

He urged bilateral and multilateral partners to raise efforts to provide Sudan and its transitional authorities with the necessary support during what he described as the "key phase of the country’s history".

Mahamat also stressed "the continued commitment of the African Union to support the people and the authorities in Sudan in their quest for peace, reconciliation and prosperity."

A formal signing ceremony of a power-sharing deal between rival sides in Sudan will be held on Aug. 17 in the presence of heads of neighboring countries. Leaders from several African and the Middle Eastern countries are also expected to attend the ceremony.

Sudan has remained in turmoil since April 11, when the military establishment announced long-serving President al-Bashir’s removal after months of popular protests against his 30-year rule.