Sudanese Parties Inch Closer towards Resolving Crisis

Sudanese protesters chant slogans during a sit-in outside the army headquarters in the capital Khartoum on May 1, 2019. (AFP)
Sudanese protesters chant slogans during a sit-in outside the army headquarters in the capital Khartoum on May 1, 2019. (AFP)
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Sudanese Parties Inch Closer towards Resolving Crisis

Sudanese protesters chant slogans during a sit-in outside the army headquarters in the capital Khartoum on May 1, 2019. (AFP)
Sudanese protesters chant slogans during a sit-in outside the army headquarters in the capital Khartoum on May 1, 2019. (AFP)

Sudanese parties inched closer towards resolving their country’s crisis after the Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces (DFCF) alliance and transitional military council agreed, in principle, to proposals by a panel of experts to bridge divides between them.

The DFCF and military rulers have been deadlocked over the formation of a joint civilian-military body to oversee the period following the overthrow of long-term president Omar al-Bashir following months of mass protests.

The parties are deadlocked over who would control the new council, and what the features of a transitional government would be.

The protesters have been holding negotiations with the military council over the creation of the new sovereign council, but the two sides remain divided over how large a role the generals should have in it.

The army has been pushing for a 10-member council including seven military representatives and three civilians. The coalition is demanding a council made up of eight civilians and seven generals.

The expert panel, comprised of national figures, proposed the formation of a sovereign council made up of seven civilians and three generals and a joint defense council of seven generals and three civilians.

The military rulers have agreed to the suggestion.

Member of the DFCF Sateh Ahmed al-Hajj told Asharq Al-Awsat that the coalition will later hold a meeting to examine the panel’s draft proposal, most notably the idea to form a separate sovereign council and a defense one.

Another member, Amjad Farid said that the coalition will agree to the formation of two councils.

He added that the protesters will continue their rallies until the revolution achieves its goals and until civilian rule is established.



Israel Accuses Hezbollah of Violating Ceasefire Agreement

FILE - Municipality workers pass by debris of damaged buildings that were hit by an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday evening in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, July 31, 2024.  (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)
FILE - Municipality workers pass by debris of damaged buildings that were hit by an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday evening in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)
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Israel Accuses Hezbollah of Violating Ceasefire Agreement

FILE - Municipality workers pass by debris of damaged buildings that were hit by an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday evening in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, July 31, 2024.  (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)
FILE - Municipality workers pass by debris of damaged buildings that were hit by an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday evening in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)

Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, accused Lebanon’s Hezbollah group of violating the terms of the ceasefire agreement reached between the two sides late in November, warning of the consequences.
Katz said if Hezbollah does not withdraw from southern Lebanon, there will be no agreement,” and Israel will be forced to act.
The Israeli minister emphasized that Hezbollah has not yet withdrawn “beyond the Litani River” in south Lebanon, believing this would reduce the threat by about 40 kilometers from its settlements.
He added, "If this condition is not fulfilled, there will be no agreement, and Israel will be forced to act alone to ensure the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes," according to AFP.

The deal struck on Nov. 27 to halt the Israeli-Hezbollah war required Hezbollah to immediately lay down its arms in southern Lebanon and gave Israel 60 days to withdraw its forces there and hand over control to the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers.

So far, Israel has withdrawn from just two of the dozens of towns it holds in southern Lebanon. And it has continued striking what it says are bases belonging to Hezbollah, which it accuses of attempting to launch rockets and move weapons before they can be confiscated and destroyed, The AP reported.

Hezbollah, which was severely diminished during nearly 14 months of war, has threatened to resume fighting if Israel does not fully withdraw its forces by the 60-day deadline.

Yet despite accusations from both sides about hundreds of ceasefire violations, the truce is likely to hold, analysts say. That is good news for thousands of Israeli and Lebanese families displaced by the war still waiting to return home.