Sudanese Army Allies Propose Constitutional Document Amendments

People protest against the military, demanding it hand over power to civilians. (AFP)
People protest against the military, demanding it hand over power to civilians. (AFP)
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Sudanese Army Allies Propose Constitutional Document Amendments

People protest against the military, demanding it hand over power to civilians. (AFP)
People protest against the military, demanding it hand over power to civilians. (AFP)

The Forces of Freedom and Change – the National Accord Group in Sudan revealed the most prominent features of the constitutional declaration expected to be presented during the next few days.

The Group said it is committed to making amendments to the constitutional document - produced by the political agreement between civilians and the military in 2019 - instead of going to new constitutional arrangements.

Moreover, the Group stressed the need for “building a balanced relationship between the military and civilians.”

The political declaration, which the Group agreed upon, calls for a balanced relationship between the military component and its civilian counterpart.

It insists on the trial of all those accused and wanted by the International Criminal Court, most notably ousted President Omar al-Bashir, and his senior aides.

The Group is allied with the military component and supports the decisions of President of the Sovereign Council, army commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

It represents political entities and armed movements that call for dialogue and consensus on national issues and includes armed factions that signed the Juba peace agreement.

The agreement had supported the 2021 military coup that overthrew the previous transitional government and resulted in amendments to the constitutional document.

In a press conference in Khartoum, the leader of the Group, Suleiman Sandal, revealed that most parties had proposed introducing amendments to the 2022 constitutional declaration because there isn’t enough time to talk about a new constitutional draft.



Lebanon Sends Message of Confidence with First Local Elections

A Lebanese man casts his ballot during the Municipal elections at a polling station in Deir El Qamar, in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 04 May 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
A Lebanese man casts his ballot during the Municipal elections at a polling station in Deir El Qamar, in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 04 May 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
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Lebanon Sends Message of Confidence with First Local Elections

A Lebanese man casts his ballot during the Municipal elections at a polling station in Deir El Qamar, in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 04 May 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
A Lebanese man casts his ballot during the Municipal elections at a polling station in Deir El Qamar, in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 04 May 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Lebanon completed the first phase of its municipal and mayoral elections on Sunday, in a vote overseen by political and security authorities and hailed by officials as transparent.

The polls mark the country’s first electoral process under President Joseph Aoun, who sought to reassure voters that “the state is serious about safeguarding their right to express their views through the ballot box.”

Aoun described the vote’s integrity as a “message of trust to the world that Lebanon is beginning to recover, rebuild its institutions, and is now on the right track.”

Sunday’s vote covered Mount Lebanon province, the most populous region in the country.

The area includes a mix of religious and political affiliations, including Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold heavily damaged during Israel’s bombardment in the latest war on Lebanon.

Aoun made a field visit on Sunday to oversee Lebanon’s first municipal and mayoral elections since 2016, following years of delays caused by the country’s prolonged political and economic crises.

The president began his tour at the Ministry of Interior, where he met with Interior Minister Ahmed Al-Hajjar and Justice Minister Adel Nassar. The discussions focused on measures in place to safeguard the electoral process from any security or legal disruptions.

Both ministers assured the president of their full preparedness to address any challenges that may arise during the first phase of the vote, held in Mount Lebanon province.

Speaking to staff in the central operations room, Aoun called for “active and serious efforts” to ensure a smooth electoral process and to reassure citizens that the state is committed to protecting their right to vote freely.

He also urged voters to participate in large numbers and resist pressures based on sectarian, political or financial influences. “Do not let sectarian, partisan, or monetary factors sway your choice,” Aoun said.

Local elections were held across the districts of Jbeil, Keserwan, Metn, Aley, Baabda, and Chouf - areas where family and clan loyalties often outweigh political or sectarian affiliations in Lebanon’s complex electoral landscape.

As of late afternoon, with three hours remaining before polls closed, the Interior Ministry reported varying voter turnout rates across Mount Lebanon province.

Keserwan led with more than 53% turnout, followed by Jbeil nearing 50%. Aley registered 36.66%, Chouf 38%, Baabda 33.11%, and Northern Metn around 33%.