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.



UNRWA Chief Says 'Relentless Assault' on Agency Is Harming Palestinians

23 January 2025, Palestinian Territories, Rafah: Trucks loaded with humanitarian aid from UNRWA enter through the Kerem Shalom crossing from Egypt into the Gaza Strip, days after the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas entered into force. (dpa)
23 January 2025, Palestinian Territories, Rafah: Trucks loaded with humanitarian aid from UNRWA enter through the Kerem Shalom crossing from Egypt into the Gaza Strip, days after the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas entered into force. (dpa)
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UNRWA Chief Says 'Relentless Assault' on Agency Is Harming Palestinians

23 January 2025, Palestinian Territories, Rafah: Trucks loaded with humanitarian aid from UNRWA enter through the Kerem Shalom crossing from Egypt into the Gaza Strip, days after the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas entered into force. (dpa)
23 January 2025, Palestinian Territories, Rafah: Trucks loaded with humanitarian aid from UNRWA enter through the Kerem Shalom crossing from Egypt into the Gaza Strip, days after the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas entered into force. (dpa)

The leader of the UN's Palestinian relief agency UNRWA said Tuesday that Israel's "relentless assault" on the agency was harming the Palestinians, speaking after Israel moved to cut all contact with his organization.

"The relentless assault on UNRWA is harming the lives and future of Palestinians across the occupied Palestinian territory. It is eroding their trust in the international community, jeopardizing any prospect for peace and security," Philippe Lazzarini told a UN Security Council meeting on the issue.

Israel will cease all contact with the UN's Palestinian relief agency UNRWA and any other body acting on its behalf, Israel's envoy to the UN said Tuesday after repeatedly accusing the organization of undermining its security.

UNRWA's offices and staff in Israel play a major role in the provision of healthcare and education to Palestinians, but Israeli officials have long clashed with the agency.

UNRWA claims to have brought in 60 percent of the food to have reached Gaza since the start of the war that followed the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel.

"The legislation forbids UNRWA from operating within the sovereign territory of the State of Israel, and forbids any contact between Israeli officials and UNWRA," said the envoy, Danny Danon.

He was speaking ahead of a UN Security Council meeting on Israel's passage of legislation ending the organization's legal footing in Israel within 48 hours.

"Israel will terminate all collaboration, communication and contact with UNRWA or anyone acting on its behalf."

Israel claims that a dozen UNRWA employees were involved in the deadly October 7, 2023 assault, and insists that other organizations can pick up the slack to provide essential services, aid and reconstruction -- something the UN disputes.

A series of probes, including one led by France's former foreign minister Catherine Colonna, found some "neutrality related issues" at UNRWA -- but stressed Israel had not provided evidence for its chief allegations.

Lazzarini said UNRWA's "capacity to directly provide primary healthcare for millions of Palestinians, and to resume education for hundreds of thousands of children, far exceeds that of any other entity."

Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,210 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

During the attack, gunmen took into Gaza 251 hostages. Eighty-seven remain in the territory, including dozens Israel says are dead.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 47,317 people in Gaza, the majority civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory's health ministry that the UN considers reliable.

The war provoked a deep humanitarian crisis, destroying hospitals and sparking outbreaks of infectious diseases while hundreds of thousands of Gazans faced starvation conditions and have depended on food aid.

"We are determined, however, to stay and deliver until it is no longer possible to do so," said Lazzarini.