Civilian and military signatories of the Political Framework Agreement in Sudan agreed to speed up steps for finding a political settlement and finalizing outstanding issues in the coming week.
The Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) also predicted that the formation of a civilian Sudanese government will be concluded before the end of Islam’s holy fasting month of Ramadan.
Ramadan is expected to begin next week.
FFC leader Taha Osman revealed that the most vital “foundations and principles” have been agreed upon with military leaders regarding the file of security and military reform.
Addressing a press conference in Khartoum on Thursday, Osman told reporters that the principles endorsed by the agreement include “a total exit of military leaders from power and economic activities save for those related to defense industries.”
Moreover, military leaders approved integrating the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the army according to agreed stages and deadlines.
Fighters from armed factions would also join the army in accordance with the security arrangements stipulated in the Juba Peace Agreement.
The agreement with military leaders additionally stipulated removing and barring personnel linked to the ousted regime from military and security apparatuses.
“We agreed with Abdelfattah al-Burhan, commander of the Sudan Armed Forces and Chairman of the Sovereignty Council, and Lt Gen Mohamed ‘Hemeti’ Dagalo, Commander of the RSF and Deputy Chairman of the Sovereignty Council, to form a technical committee,” revealed Osman.
The committee will tackle technical issues regarding the unity of command and at the level of staff, regions, and divisions.
Osman pointed out that a security and military reform workshop will kick off on Monday.
The workshop will work on developing a roadmap for security reform. This includes the army, RSF, police and other security bodies.
Osman anticipated that Sudan would reach “a final political agreement during Ramadan, followed directly by the formation of transitional civil power structures.”
Yasir Arman, a leading figure in the FFC, said the signatories are heading towards the finishing of the political process and called for popular support to protect it from the counter-revolutionary forces.
“In a short time, democratic civil rule will be restored in the country,” said Arman, adding that the latest meeting between civilian and military forces was “conducted with a high patriotic spirit.”
He stressed that the next civilian government “will have sufficient consensus to avoid mistakes made previously.”
