Sudanese Parties Expected to Sign New Deal on Civilian Rule

 Protesters march during a rally against military rule following the last coup, in Khartoum, Sudan November 23, 2022. (Reuters)
Protesters march during a rally against military rule following the last coup, in Khartoum, Sudan November 23, 2022. (Reuters)
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Sudanese Parties Expected to Sign New Deal on Civilian Rule

 Protesters march during a rally against military rule following the last coup, in Khartoum, Sudan November 23, 2022. (Reuters)
Protesters march during a rally against military rule following the last coup, in Khartoum, Sudan November 23, 2022. (Reuters)

The Sudanese military and the opposition Forces of Freedom and Change are expected on Monday to sign a new political framework agreement that would pave the way for the establishment of civilian rule in the country.

International and regional figures have been invited to attend the signing ceremony that will be held at the presidential palace in Khartoum.

Sudanese head of the Sovereign Council Abdul Fattah al-Burhan is expected to be present, along with his deputy Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo and other military figures. Leaders of the Forces of Freedom and Change and other figures are set to attend.

The “tripartite mechanism” that includes the United Nations, African Union, and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), as well as the “quartet” that includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the US and UK, will be present at the ceremony.

Leading member of the Forces of Freedom and Change Al-Wathiq Al-Barir told Asharq Al-Awsat that other political forces and groups that support the democratic transition will be able to join and sign the “political declaration” at a later time.

He said the Justice and Equality Movement, led by Gibril Ibrahim, and the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army, led by Minni Minnawi, still refuse to join the declaration.

They can join at any time, added Al-Barir.

The Forces of Freedom and Change said on Sunday the articles of the political declaration are clear in achieving the goals of the December 2019 revolution and the transition towards civilian democratic rule.

It vowed to exert all efforts to unite civilian forces that are keen on ending military rule. It pledged to establish a new constitution and reach a final agreement that would pave the way for implementing the objectives of the revolution and transition in achieving justice and dismantling the regime of ousted President Omar al-Bashir.

It vowed to carry out security and military reforms and outline their duties in the civilian democratic state.

Meanwhile, authorities released prominent politician Wagdi Salih, who was the forefront of an anti-corruption committee tasked with dismantling Bashir's regime.



US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
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US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)

The United States is deferring the removal of certain Lebanese citizens from the country, President Joe Biden said on Friday, citing humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deferred designation, which lasts 18 months, allows Lebanese citizens to remain in the country with the right to work, according to a memorandum Biden sent to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated due to tensions between Hezbollah and Israel," Biden said in the memo.

"While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States."

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since Hezbollah announced a "support front" with Palestinians shortly after its ally Hamas attacked southern Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, triggering Israel's military assault in Gaza.

The fighting in Lebanon has killed more than 100 civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters, according to a Reuters tally, and led to levels of destruction in Lebanese border towns and villages not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

On the Israeli side, 10 Israeli civilians, a foreign agricultural worker and 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Tens of thousands have been evacuated from both sides of the border.