Sudan's Opposition, Military Divided Over Political Agreement Project

Sudanese protests demanding justice for those killed during the demonstrations in Khartoum Bahri in 2021 (AFP)
Sudanese protests demanding justice for those killed during the demonstrations in Khartoum Bahri in 2021 (AFP)
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Sudan's Opposition, Military Divided Over Political Agreement Project

Sudanese protests demanding justice for those killed during the demonstrations in Khartoum Bahri in 2021 (AFP)
Sudanese protests demanding justice for those killed during the demonstrations in Khartoum Bahri in 2021 (AFP)

The Forces for Freedom and Change opposition coalition announced it had reached an agreement with the military for a "new constitutional declaration" that ends the military rule in Sudan.

The agreement will form a civilian-led government that would end the military's control of the government. The remaining issues, such as the judiciary and the cases of the revolution's martyrs, will be further discussed within the committees.

The agreement announcement coincided with the march commemorating the incident in Khartoum Bahri last year. Protesters were divided between those demanding to hold perpetrators accountable and reach a political process based on the democratic track.

Protesters, the resistance committees, and the Communist Party rejected the agreement, equating between its advocates and the military.

The Communist Party denounced the agreement saying the parties upended the revolution's charters, sought to liquidate it, and joined the security committee in its methods of repression and violent response to peaceful protests.

Press reports quoted Kamal Karrar as saying that the Communist Party would work to bring down the government if it was formed.

Also, the Arab Socialist Baath Party was not keen on accepting the deal, and the spokesman, Adel Khalfallah, described the deal as a "framework" that still needs agreement.

Khalfallah indicated that the party's final position would be determined according to the outcome, noting that they handed their notes on the military's observations and the accompanying political declaration.

Meanwhile, supporters of ousted President Omar al-Bashir denounced the agreement, considering it an implementation of a foreign agenda, and vowed to bring it down.

The spokesman of the People of the Sudan Call for National Accord, Hisham al-Shawani, announced that the initiative prepared a national alternative to the Bar Association draft constitution, which constituted a base for the settlement.

Furthermore, political parties of the Juba Peace Agreement were also divided over the new agreement, while the member of the Sovereign Council and the head of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, Malik Agar, remained silent.

However, the draft agreement received unlimited support from the international and regional community. It was sponsored by the Quartet consisting of the US, Saudi Arabia, Britain, and the UAE, along with the tripartite mechanism United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), the African Union (AU), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the Europe Union.

The African Union announced it held a meaningful discussion with the European Union ambassadors and the opposition coalition Freedom and Change – the Central Council, during which they declared their support for the political process, saying it is a resumption of the complete democratic transition.



Arab Coalition Denies Houthi Leader’s Claims on Brother’s Remains

Houthi supporters shout slogans as they hold their weapons up during a rally marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, in Sanaa, Yemen, 29 November 2024. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
Houthi supporters shout slogans as they hold their weapons up during a rally marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, in Sanaa, Yemen, 29 November 2024. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
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Arab Coalition Denies Houthi Leader’s Claims on Brother’s Remains

Houthi supporters shout slogans as they hold their weapons up during a rally marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, in Sanaa, Yemen, 29 November 2024. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
Houthi supporters shout slogans as they hold their weapons up during a rally marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, in Sanaa, Yemen, 29 November 2024. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB

The Saudi-led Arab Coalition’s spokesman, Brig. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki, has denied Houthi leader Hussein Al-Ezzi's claims of a recent handover of his brother's body, calling them misleading.

Al-Maliki told Asharq Al-Awsat that the claims, circulated by Houthi-linked outlets, are “inaccurate and lack credibility.”

He clarified that the exchange of remains took place in June 2023, involving the recovery of nine Saudi soldiers and 20 Yemeni army personnel, as well as the return of 57 Houthi fighters killed at the border.

Hussein Al-Ezzi, a senior Houthi figure and former deputy foreign minister in Yemen’s unrecognized government, announced his brother’s death in a post on X, accompanied by a photo.

Al-Ezzi stated there would be no condolence gathering, claiming the focus should remain on the group’s fight against Israel.

When asked about the timing of the announcement, Al-Maliki dismissed the claims as misleading.

"Such statements are likely made for internal Houthi reasons. Notably, the name mentioned was not among those listed during negotiations for body exchanges. It’s possible this individual was killed in regional conflicts,” Al-Maliki said.

Al-Maliki emphasized that the coalition views the exchange of prisoners and remains as a strictly humanitarian matter.

“This issue should not be politicized by any party, in line with Islamic values, humanitarian principles, and cultural traditions,” he said.