Sudan: Military to rule 1st half of transitional period

By Mohammed Amin

KHARTOUM (AA) - Sudanese rulers of the Transitional Military Council (TMC) will lead the country for the first half of the transitional period by determining the president of the sovereignty council before the civilians will takeover in the remaining part of the three years, the Sudanese opposition confirmed in a press conference on Friday.

Medani Abas, a leading member in the opposition alliance of the Forces for the Freedom and Change (FFC), said that the sovereignty council will be formed by 11 members. According to Abas, five members of the council would be selected by the military and other five would be selected by the civilians. In addition, one independent civilian would be chosen by the consultations of the two sides.

Abas further confirmed that the council of ministers would be exclusively formed by the FFC.

Abas also stated that the final agreement would be signed next week in a ceremony that would be attended by some presidents from regional countries, the African Union, Arab League, United Nations and many international envoys.

In the meantime, thousands of people have celebrated the agreement on the ground by organizing wide marches in the capital Khartoum and other states.

The citizens have chanted slogans that support the transitional agreement declared on Thursday, calling for the demands of the revolution including the transitional government and the full civilian authority to be addressed.

Sudan’s ruling Transitional Military Council and the Forces for Freedom and Change opposition alliance reached dawn on Friday an agreement on sharing power during a transition period before general elections, African Union mediator Mohamed Hassan Lebatt said.

“The two sides have agreed to share power for a period of three years or slightly more with the formation of a sovereign council that will be chaired by rotation between the military and civilians,” Lebatt said.

He said they also agreed to form a government of independent technocrats led by a prime minister.

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