Sudan commander calls for 'short' transitional period

KHARTOUM (AA) – The commander of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSP) on Saturday called for forming a transitional period of three to six months amid unrest in the Arab country.

In a statement, Lieutenant-General Mohamed Hamdan Daqlo said a "clear transitional program, not exceeding three-six months" should be formed with a view to "reconsidering the constitution via an editorial committee, including all Sudanese forces".

He also called for holding "free and fair elections with the participation of local and international observers in line with electoral law, on which the interested parties will agree".

"The role of the military council will be to salvage the economic situation, provide the basic needs of the citizens and supervise a committee to redraft the constitution," he said.

On Thursday, the Sudanese military deposed President Omar al-Bashir, who has ruled Sudan since 1989, following months of popular protests against his rule.

The military also established a military council to run the country for a transitional period of two years.

Daqlo has refused to join the transitional council, saying his forces would continue to work to maintain Sudan's unity under the umbrella of the armed forces.

"I have decided not to join the military council until the people's demands are fulfilled," he said on Saturday.

On Friday, Defense Minister Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf resigned as head of the ruling military council and appointed Lieutenant-General Abdel Fattah Burhan in his place.