The Sudanese are expecting an imminent agreement to form a civilian government, with a civilian president and prime minister.
The current head of the Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, is likely to be named commander-in-chief of the army, and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of the Rapid Support Forces, as hinted by UN Representative Volker Perthes and confirmed by a source in the Coalition of the Declaration of Freedom of Change.
In a speech on Friday, Al-Burhan spoke about “good news” for the people, without giving further details. He said the political forces would make concessions for the sake of Sudan’s security and stability. He also announced his readiness to adopt any initiative that would save the country from the current crisis.
The military establishment and an appreciable part of the political forces made concessions, Al-Burhan said during a public speech, in Al-Basabir area in the north of the country.
His comments came in parallel with information on an agreement between the army and the opposition to form a transitional government, which would be headed by a civilian prime minister, in addition to the establishment of a security and defense council to include members from the military institution.
According to the said agreement, Al-Burhan would assume the position of commander-in-chief, and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of the Rapid Support Forces.
A leading source in the Coalition of the Declaration of Freedom and Change, which is conducting negotiations with the military, confirmed that a full agreement was reached between the two parties on a document according to which the military would leave power to open the way for a civilian democratic transition.
Based on the agreement, civilians, military personnel, and leaders of armed struggle movements would participate in the Security and Defense Council under the presidency of the civilian prime minister. All police and security services would be entrusted to the prime minister, in addition to the formation of a transitional legislative council that would include all revolutionary forces.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expected that the agreement would be signed within the next few days with the unanimity of all parties.
In an interview with Al-Arabiya channel, Perthes pointed to an understanding to form a Security and Defense Council headed by the prime minister.
He also stressed the importance of the military being part of the institutions, as long as they are outside politics.
“The legitimacy of the armed movements was determined by the Juba Peace Agreement; but if we want a stable future for Sudan, there cannot be 5 or 6 different armies... We are talking about elections within 24 months, so how can we imagine that a movement or a party with an army will engage in the elections, against the rest of the civil parties?!” Perthes said in his interview.
On issues of justice, Perthes said that the Sudanese were asking for answers about the status of those responsible for the crimes committed in their country, stressing that they have the right to obtain these answers.
