Talks on Sudan's political transition fail to produce deal for second day
Talks between Sudan's ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) and an alliance of protesters and opposition groups failed to produce a breakthrough on the country's political transition for the second day in a row, the council said early on Tuesday.
Street protests and a sit-in outside the defense ministry compound in Khartoum have not ended even after the army ousted and arrested former President Omar al-Bashir on April 11.
Bashir hadbeen in power for 30 years until the nationwide protests triggered by the economic crisis and decade-long repressive rule expelled him from office.
Demonstrators are calling for a rapid transition to civilian rule, and demanding justice over the deaths of dozens of people since protests spread across Sudan starting December 19, 2018.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir is seen before delivering a speech at the Presidential Palace in Khartoum, Sudan, February 22, 2019. /VCG Photo
The TMC and the Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces (DFCF), an umbrella body of protesters and opposition groups, have agreed on a three-year transition before elections, but have been deadlocked over whether civilians or the military would control a sovereign council that would hold ultimate power. This remained the main point of contention during talks that started Monday evening and ended early on Tuesday without a resolution, the TMC said in a statement.
“Aware of our historical responsibility, we will work toward reaching an urgent agreement ... that meets the aspirations of the Sudanese people and the goals of the glorious December revolution,” the TMC added, without giving a date for when talks would resume.
Both sides had signaled they were close to an agreement over a three-year transition. An agreement was also expected to come out of talks that started on Sunday, but no deal was made after more than six hours of negotiations at the presidential palace in Khartoum.
Sudanese people enjoy the shallow waters of the Nile River in Khartoum, Sudan, April 24, 2019. /VCG Photo
The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), which spearheaded protests against Bashir and heads the DFCF, has accused the TMC of dragging its feet in the talks and has sought to increase pressure on the council by expanding protests.
It also held the TMC responsible for street violence over the past week.
Late last Wednesday, the TMC suspended the talks for three days.
The council accused protesters of not respecting an understanding on de-escalation while talks were under way.