Sudan: FFC's Sovereign Council candidates announced

By Bahram Abdel Moeim

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AA) The Sudanese Forces for Freedom and Change coalition (FFC), on Tuesday, submitted its final list of candidates to the Sudanese Transitional Military Council (TMC) for the Sovereign Council which will lead the country during the coming transitional period.

An FFC leader Satii Al-Haj told Anadolu Agency that "the final list of the five candidates include Siddeeq Tawer, Mohammed al-Faqi Suleiman, Hussein Sheikh Idris, Mohammed Al-Hasan al-Taayshi and Aysha Mohammed Osman."

On Monday, upon a FFC request to agree on the candidates, the TMC announced the postponement of declaring the Sovereign Council for 48 hours.

The Sovereign Council consists of 11 members, with five civilian leaders agreed to be nominated by the FFC and five military personnel by the TMC, in addition to one civilian candidate to be agreed between the two parties.

As planned, the TMC is scheduled to be dissolved after the formation of the Sovereign Council and to swear-in before the judiciary chairman.

In an official ceremony on Saturday, Sudan’s ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) and opposition Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) alliance signed a power-sharing deal, paving the way for civilian rule.

According to the deal, a sovereign council -- consisting of six civilians and five military personnel -- will run the country until the elections.

The Sudanese people hope that this agreement regarding the transitional period will end the troubles in the country following the ousting of long-serving president Omar Al-Bashir.

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

*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara