Sudan’s rivals reach framework deal to end political deadlock

By Mohammed Amin

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AA) – Sudan’s military and political rivals reached a preliminary deal on Wednesday to resolve the country’s months-long political crisis.

In a statement, the opposition Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) coalition said the framework deal aims to end last year’s military coup and set new rules for civilian rule to be followed by elections.

A final agreement will be signed between the two sides soon, the statement said.

“The deal aims to address issues of transitional justice, reform of the military and security sector and the revision of the Juba peace agreement,” the statement said.

Sudan has been without a functioning government since October 2021 when the military dismissed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’s transitional government and declared a state of emergency, a move decried by political forces as a "military coup."

The two sides have undergone talks under the auspices of the United Nations Integrated Transition Mission in Sudan in recent weeks to reach an agreement to resolve the country’s political deadlock.

The QUAD mechanism, which includes the US, UK, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, has also been pushing the country’s rivals to reach a political deal to bring the country back to transition.