Sudan’s Pro-democracy Coalition Says Working to Reach Framework Deal with Army 

Sudanese protest against the United Nations mediation between Sudan's civilian and army leaders, outside the UN headquarters in the Manshiya district of the capital Khartoum on November 12, 2022. (AFP)
Sudanese protest against the United Nations mediation between Sudan's civilian and army leaders, outside the UN headquarters in the Manshiya district of the capital Khartoum on November 12, 2022. (AFP)
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Sudan’s Pro-democracy Coalition Says Working to Reach Framework Deal with Army 

Sudanese protest against the United Nations mediation between Sudan's civilian and army leaders, outside the UN headquarters in the Manshiya district of the capital Khartoum on November 12, 2022. (AFP)
Sudanese protest against the United Nations mediation between Sudan's civilian and army leaders, outside the UN headquarters in the Manshiya district of the capital Khartoum on November 12, 2022. (AFP)

Sudan's Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) coalition said on Wednesday it was seeking to sign a framework agreement with the military as a first step to ending the political deadlock that has gripped the country since an October 2021 coup. 

The military takeover ended a partnership with the FFC following the overthrow of Omar al-Bashir and plunged the country into political and economic turmoil. 

The coalition and military began talks with international backing in recent weeks, and General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan this week confirmed that the military had presented its notes on a draft constitution. 

In Wednesday's statement, the coalition said it had reached "understandings" with the military based on their discussions. A high-level military source said that understandings had been reached but that there remained some pending issues. 

The statement said that the coalition would seek to sign a framework agreement with the military and other political forces "that would form a constitutional basis for a civilian democratic transitional authority". 

Before signing a final agreement, the group said that broader discussions would be held on four main issues: transitional justice, security sector reform, revision of the Juba peace agreement, and the dismantling of the Bashir regime. 

These issues have been cited by members of the coalition and analysts as key sources of tension between the military and civilians that culminated in the coup. 



Israeli Drone Strike Wounds 5 in South Lebanon as Residents Demand to Return to Their Land

Destroyed houses are pictured in the southern village of Marwahin as families return with the Lebanese army to the area, on January 28, 2025. (AFP)
Destroyed houses are pictured in the southern village of Marwahin as families return with the Lebanese army to the area, on January 28, 2025. (AFP)
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Israeli Drone Strike Wounds 5 in South Lebanon as Residents Demand to Return to Their Land

Destroyed houses are pictured in the southern village of Marwahin as families return with the Lebanese army to the area, on January 28, 2025. (AFP)
Destroyed houses are pictured in the southern village of Marwahin as families return with the Lebanese army to the area, on January 28, 2025. (AFP)

An Israeli drone strike wounded five people in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, according to the country's Heath Ministry, in a village where civilians were protesting for Israeli soldiers to let them access their lands.

The Health Ministry said the strike in Majdal Selm hit “families,” a term it uses for civilians trying to reenter their villages. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the strike.

Despite a Sunday deadline, Israel's military did not withdraw from southern Lebanon under the terms of its ceasefire with the Hezbollah group.

Protests have since been held daily, and the Israeli military has sometimes responded with gunfire, killing 26 people. The US and Lebanon announced a ceasefire extension until Feb. 18.

Two Israeli strikes on Tuesday wounded 36 people, the Health Ministry said. The Israeli military said it targeted “a Hezbollah truck and an additional vehicle that transferred weapons.”

The strikes were north of the Litani River. The ceasefire prohibits Hezbollah from having a military presence south of the river.

One of the strikes hit an amusement park, leaving it in ruins with shattered bumper cars, a twisted Ferris wheel and carousel. “This city is meant as an entertainment facility for children,” said Haitham Alam, the park's manager.