Sudanese opposition call for safeguard of revolution

By Adel Abdul Rahim

KHARTOUM (AA) - The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) on Friday called for cohesion in safeguarding the revolution and its goals.

The opposition SPA said that the people’s second demand after the ouster of former President Omar al-Bashir was the hand-over of power to civilians.

"Continue on until the achievement of the revolution’s goals, (freedom, peace and justice)," it said in a statement.

Negotiations on forming a new government between Sudan’s Transitional Military Council (TMC) -- ruling the country since Bashir’s overthrow on April 11 -- and protest leaders resumed Wednesday after a more than month-long deadlock.

The SPA’s call comes after a standoff between the two sides following the killing of protesters outside the military’s headquarters in the capital on June 3.

It also follows the TMC’s acceptance of a proposal submitted by the African Union and Ethiopia on sharing power with the opposition.

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.