By Adel Abdelrheem
KHARTOUM (AA) - The Chairman of Sudan's Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, reiterated his commitment to soon form a government to complete the tasks of the transitional period.
It came during a speech he delivered after consultations were held with political and societal forces on the roadmap for Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue in Port Sudan, according to the official Sudanese news agency.
The consultations, which lasted several days, included political forces, armed movements that signed a peace agreement with the government, tribal leaders and public figures representing communities from various parts of the country.
"We want this dialogue to be inclusive of all political and societal forces,” said al-Burhan. "The coming period will witness the formation of a government to complete the transitional tasks."
"This government (to be formed) could be called a caretaker government or a wartime government," he said.
Al-Burhan clarified that the goal of the government is "to assist the state in accomplishing the remaining military tasks, particularly in purging Sudan of the rebels (Rapid Support Forces (RSF))."
He pointed out that the government would be made up of independent national competencies.
Al-Burhan directed relevant authorities in the passport office not to prevent anyone from obtaining a passport or identification documents as long as they are Sudanese.
"We do not oppose people because of their opinions, and anyone has the right to speak out against the regime and criticize it, but they do not have the right to destroy the nation or tamper with its principles," he said.
In a notable statement, Al-Burhan said: "If the National Congress Party (the Bashir Party) wants to rule in the future, it must compete with other political forces."
It is worth noting that the National Congress Party was officially dissolved following the fall of the Omer Bashir regime by transitional authorities in November 2019.
Regarding the future of the political process, al-Burhan confirmed that a new prime minister would be appointed after the approval of the amended constitutional document, which will manage the executive branch of the state without interference from other parties.
The constitutional document is an agreement signed between the military council, headed by al-Burhan at the time, and the Forces of Freedom and Change Alliance to manage the transitional period, which was supposed to end in January 2023.
It was al-Burhan’s first announcement of efforts to introduce amendments to the document, without clarifying what the amendments will entail.
Al-Burhan reiterated that "there will be no negotiation with the rebels,” emphasizing the need for them to “lay down their weapons and leave the homes of citizens and civilian facilities first, and then they can be talked to."
He pointed out that some have suggested a ceasefire during the holy Muslim month of Ramada which starts in March, to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to El Fasher in North Darfur.
He clarified, however, the army’s stance. "We have confirmed that we will not accept a ceasefire while the Rapid Support Militia is besieging the city."
Al-Burhan added that a ceasefire should be accompanied by the withdrawal of the RSF from Khartoum, West Kordofan and Darfur, and the gathering of those forces in specific centers.
Sudan has been ravaged by fighting between the army and the RSF since April 2023.
The fighting has resulted in more than 20,000 deaths and displaced over 14 million people, according to estimates from the UN and local authorities.