Constitutional Declaration Agreement Secured In Sudan

The ruling military council and protest leaders have agreed on a constitutional declaration following months of negotiations.

The agreement paves the way for the formation of a sovereign council to govern the country, composed of a mix of military and civilian representatives. The council will work towards the holding of elections in three years.

Negotiations have taken several months, interrupted and called off at various points as a result of a strained relationship between the military and the opposition Alliance for Freedom and Change (AFC).

The agreement was developed with the support of the African Union, which has served as a key facilitator in the talks. According to the group’s mediator Mohamed El Hacen Lebatt the two delegations “fully agreed on the constitutional declaration.” The declaration was signed on Sunday morning and full ratification is expected on August 17.

The appointment of the sovereign council is expected to take place during the next two weeks, with a new Prime Minister to be announced on August 20 and a cabinet finalised by August 28.  

According to the declaration the AFC will name the prime minister, with two-thirds of seats in the legislative council. The sovereign council and other political stakeholders will nominate the remaining third. Meanwhile, the military will nominate the interior and defence ministers.