Sudan Launches Workshop on Transitional Constitutional Framework

Sudan's military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. (EPA)
Sudan's military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. (EPA)
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Sudan Launches Workshop on Transitional Constitutional Framework

Sudan's military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. (EPA)
Sudan's military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. (EPA)

The Sudanese Bar Association organized on Monday a workshop on the transitional constitutional framework at a time when multiple initiatives have been trying to resolve the political crisis in the North African nation.

The three-day workshop will be followed by the formation of a mechanism that will draft the transitional constitution, sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.

According to observers, the workshop is a continuation of the dialogue between civilian and military authorities in Sudan.

It is expected to focus on addressing the tasks entrusted to authorities in the transitional period, the duration of the transitional government, and transitional structures.

It will also tackle defining the role of the military and security institutions during the transitional period.

The Popular Congress Party, founded by late Islamist leader Hassan al-Turabi, the Democratic Unionist Party, led by Muhammad Othman al-Mirghani, and resistance committees and civil society organizations are participating in the workshop.

Key opposition parties are also taking part. They include the Republican Party and the National Umma Party.

From the international community, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Sudan and head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) Volker Perthes, representatives from the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the European Union were attending.

The workshop also saw the participation of the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, and the Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Sudan.



Hamas, Two Other Palestinian Groups Say Gaza Ceasefire Deal 'Closer Than Ever'

Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
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Hamas, Two Other Palestinian Groups Say Gaza Ceasefire Deal 'Closer Than Ever'

Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)

Hamas and two other Palestinian militant groups said on Saturday that a Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel is "closer than ever", provided Israel does not impose new conditions.

"The possibility of reaching an agreement (for a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange deal) is closer than ever, provided the enemy stops imposing new conditions," Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said in a rare joint statement issued after talks in Cairo on Friday.

Last week, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States were held in Doha, rekindling hope of an agreement.

A Hamas leader told AFP on Saturday that talks had made "significant and important progress" in recent days.

"Most points related to the ceasefire and prisoner exchange issues have been agreed upon," he said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak publicly on the issue.

"Some unresolved points remain, but they do not hinder the process. The agreement could be finalized before the end of this year, provided it is not disrupted by (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's new conditions."