Deal to Restore Democratic Transition in Sudan Delayed Again

Sudanese protesters take part in a rally against military rule on the anniversary of previous popular uprisings, in Khartoum, Sudan, Thursday, April 6, 2023. (AP)
Sudanese protesters take part in a rally against military rule on the anniversary of previous popular uprisings, in Khartoum, Sudan, Thursday, April 6, 2023. (AP)
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Deal to Restore Democratic Transition in Sudan Delayed Again

Sudanese protesters take part in a rally against military rule on the anniversary of previous popular uprisings, in Khartoum, Sudan, Thursday, April 6, 2023. (AP)
Sudanese protesters take part in a rally against military rule on the anniversary of previous popular uprisings, in Khartoum, Sudan, Thursday, April 6, 2023. (AP)

A dispute between Sudan’s military and a paramilitary group again forced the delay of signing a deal with politicians to restore the country’s democratic transition, which was derailed by a 2021 coup, a pro-democracy bloc said Wednesday.

The bloc, known as the Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change, announced the postponement in a statement saying that the deal would not be signed Thursday as planned.

The bloc said the military and the Rapid Support Force were still negotiating on a reform for the security and military sector to be included in the final agreement. They are discussing the integration of the Rapid Support Force into the military.

The bloc’s statement said the military and the paramilitary force had made progress and only one point remained unresolved. It did not offer further details.

It was the second time within less than a week that Sudanese parties failed to meet a deadline set to sign the agreement between the generals and pro-democracy groups. It originally had been scheduled to be signed last Saturday.

The deal aims at restoring Sudan’s short-lived transition to democracy, which was halted by an October 2021 military coup that removed a Western-supported, power-sharing administration.

The coup dashed Sudanese aspirations for democratic government after three decades of rule under strongman Omar al-Bashir.

A months-long popular uprising had led the military to oust Bashir and his Islamist government in April 2019. Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court over the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region, has been imprisoned in Khartoum.

According to a draft of the deal obtained by The Associated Press, the military would withdraw from politics and be barred from non-military businesses. The deal includes an overhaul of the security apparatuses that will eventually lead to a unified, professional and non-partisan national military.

Political parties would form a civilian administration to lead the chaos-stricken nation through elections in two years. They are to name a prime minister who would form a Cabinet and chair the Defense and Security Council, which decides on security issues.

The dispute has focused on the integration of the Rapid Support Force, led by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, into the military.

The second postponement came as Sudan braced for anti-coup demonstrations called by protest groups for Thursday. That is the anniversary of the overthrow of President Jaafar al-Nimeiri in a bloodless coup in 1985 after a popular uprising against his rule.

Authorities ordered tight security measures in the capital ahead of the protests, with the military bolstering its presence in Khartoum over the past few days. Armored vehicles were parked at most intersections near the Presidential Palace, and trucks belonging to both the army and the Rapid Support Force were seen patrolling downtown after sunset Wednesday.



Lebanese President Acknowledges ‘Slow Progress’ in Talks with Hezbollah on Disarmament

Aoun receives the key to the area of Sin al-Fil, where he lived before his election. (Lebanese Presidency)
Aoun receives the key to the area of Sin al-Fil, where he lived before his election. (Lebanese Presidency)
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Lebanese President Acknowledges ‘Slow Progress’ in Talks with Hezbollah on Disarmament

Aoun receives the key to the area of Sin al-Fil, where he lived before his election. (Lebanese Presidency)
Aoun receives the key to the area of Sin al-Fil, where he lived before his election. (Lebanese Presidency)

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun acknowledged on Friday that negotiations with Hezbollah over its weapons are ongoing, though progressing slowly.

Speaking amid heightened tensions along the southern border with Israel, Aoun emphasized that dialogue is being conducted directly with Hezbollah, not through a formal security committee, and expressed cautious optimism over a gradual breakthrough.

“There is some responsiveness to the ideas we’re discussing, even if things are moving at a slow pace,” said Aoun, stressing that neither party desires war, which would carry severe consequences for all sides.

His remarks come as Hezbollah issued its first public response to the recent visit by US envoy Tom Barrack, rejecting the American proposal focused on centralizing arms under the Lebanese state.

Hezbollah insisted it is only concerned with implementing UN Resolution 1701, which calls for Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory and a cessation of hostilities.

Aoun reiterated Lebanon’s demand for Israel to adhere to the ceasefire agreement and withdraw from the remaining five occupied hills in the south, noting that full army deployment remains hindered in areas still under Israeli control.

During his visit to Beirut this week, Barrack pushed for a “monopoly of arms” by the Lebanese state, declaring that the US will only support Lebanon if its government commits to ensuring that only official forces carry weapons.

In a statement, he reinforced that Hezbollah, in its entirety, is viewed by Washington as a foreign terrorist organization, with no distinction between its political and military wings.

He added that the responsibility now lies with Lebanon’s political leadership and army to seize this opportunity and build a future free of Hezbollah’s grip.

Hezbollah MP Ihab Hamadeh dismissed the American initiative, affirming that the group is aligned with the stance of parliament and ally Speaker Nabih Berri and will only engage within the framework of Resolution 1701.

He acknowledged a general agreement on the principle of state monopoly over arms, but argued that this must be accompanied by a comprehensive national defense strategy, especially in light of ongoing Israeli attacks.

Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes have intensified, targeting South Lebanon throughout the week. On Friday, an Israeli drone strike killed a Hezbollah member in Bint Jbeil, while other raids reportedly hit weapons depots and rocket launch sites. Tensions escalated further when an Israeli soldier shot a Lebanese civilian near the border.

In response to repeated attacks, residents of the border town Aita al-Shaab issued a strongly worded statement condemning the government’s inaction and warning that they may resort to self-defense.

“Security is not a luxury; it is our right,” the statement read.