Sudan’s Military Agrees on Transitional Draft Constitution, Voices Some Reservations

Protesters wave a Sudanese national flag during an anti-government protest demanding return to civilian rule in Sudan's capital Khartoum on October 13, 2022. (AFP)
Protesters wave a Sudanese national flag during an anti-government protest demanding return to civilian rule in Sudan's capital Khartoum on October 13, 2022. (AFP)
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Sudan’s Military Agrees on Transitional Draft Constitution, Voices Some Reservations

Protesters wave a Sudanese national flag during an anti-government protest demanding return to civilian rule in Sudan's capital Khartoum on October 13, 2022. (AFP)
Protesters wave a Sudanese national flag during an anti-government protest demanding return to civilian rule in Sudan's capital Khartoum on October 13, 2022. (AFP)

Sudan's opposition Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) revealed that unofficial contacts were underway with army leaders to negotiate a solution to the political crisis in the country.

It revealed in a statement on Wednesday the military’s approval of a constitutional document proposed by the Bar Association but expressed reservations about some of its points. They did not reveal further details.

The draft constitution should act as the basis for their political agreement. The draft transitional constitution aims to restore the course of civilian rule by forming the transitional authority services.

The FFC denied reports that said it had reached a final agreement, stressing it will not agree to any political solution without a broad consensus that includes the forces of the revolution and the democratic transition. The solution must also end the military measures that have been in place since the coup against civilian rule in October last year.

According to the statement, the FFC executive office is working on a document that explains its position on ending military rule and establishing a full democratic civilian-led authority.

The FFC reiterated its firm position of supporting an acceptable political solution that eventually leads to completely ending the military coup, keeping the military out of political affairs, and forming a unified professional and national army through comprehensive reforms.

It further underscored the importance that the agreement address judicial issues in a fair and comprehensive manner, dismantle the regime of ousted President Omar al-Bashir and lead to free and fair elections at the end of the transitional period.

The coalition urged the anti-coup forces to unite their ranks and achieve the aspirations of the Sudanese people for the establishment of freedom, peace and justice and a civil and democratic state.



Israel Says It Will Allow Controlled Entry of Goods into Gaza via Merchants 

Internally displaced Palestinians climb aid trucks to get food near a food distribution point in the Morag corridor, south of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, 04 August 2025. (EPA)
Internally displaced Palestinians climb aid trucks to get food near a food distribution point in the Morag corridor, south of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, 04 August 2025. (EPA)
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Israel Says It Will Allow Controlled Entry of Goods into Gaza via Merchants 

Internally displaced Palestinians climb aid trucks to get food near a food distribution point in the Morag corridor, south of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, 04 August 2025. (EPA)
Internally displaced Palestinians climb aid trucks to get food near a food distribution point in the Morag corridor, south of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, 04 August 2025. (EPA)

Israel says it will allow gradual and controlled entry of goods to Gaza through local merchants, an Israeli military agency that coordinates aid said on Tuesday, as global monitors say famine is unfolding in the enclave, impacting the hostages Hamas holds.

Israel's COGAT said a mechanism has been approved by the cabinet to expand the scope of humanitarian aid, allowing the entry of supplies to Gaza through the private sector.

The agency said the approved goods include basic food products, baby food, fruits and vegetables, and hygiene supplies.

"This aims to increase the volume of aid entering the Gaza Strip, while reducing reliance on aid collection by the UN and international organizations," it added.

It was unclear how this aid operation would work given the widespread destruction in Gaza.

Palestinian and UN officials say Gaza needs around 600 aid trucks to enter per day to meet the humanitarian requirements - the number Israel used to allow into Gaza before the war.

Images of starving Palestinians including children have alarmed the world in recent weeks, while a video released by Hamas on Sunday showing an emaciated captive drew sharp criticism from Western powers.

Israel in response to a rising international uproar, announced last week steps to let more aid reach Gaza, including pausing fighting for part of the day in some areas, approving air drops and announcing protected routes for aid convoys.

Hamas said it was prepared to coordinate with the Red Cross to deliver aid to hostages it holds in Gaza, if Israel permanently opens humanitarian corridors and halts airstrikes during the distribution of aid.

Israel and the United States urged the UN in May to work through an organization they back, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which employs a US logistics firm run by a former CIA officer and armed US veterans.

The UN refused as it questioned GHF neutrality and accused the distribution model of militarizing aid and forcing displacement.

Palestinians were killed near GHF sites where limited aid was distributed, with the UN estimating that Israeli forces have killed more than 1,000 people seeking food since May, most near the organization's distribution sites.

GHF denies that there have been deadly incidents at its sites and says the deadliest have been near other aid convoys.

The war in Gaza began when Hamas killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostage in an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, according to Israeli figures.

Israel's offensive has since killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials who do not distinguish between fighters and non-combatants.

According to Israeli officials, 50 hostages now remain in Gaza, only 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Hamas, thus far, has barred humanitarian organizations from having any kind of access to the hostages and families have little or no details of their conditions.