African Union Lauds Deal over Transition Period in Sudan

ADDIS ABEBA – African Union has commended the new deal between Sudanese military and opposition alliance over a transition period to a civilian administration.

Sudan’s military leaders on Tuesday announced that they agreed with the opposition alliance that the country’s transition period would last for three years.

After the announcement, chairperson of the AU Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat commended both sides “for the progress being made towards reaching an agreement for a political transition in Sudan”.

Moussa “also extends his warm congratulations to the national stakeholders for their high level of responsibility to complete the negotiation cycle in a reasonable time in order to adequately address the legitimate concerns of the Sudanese people”, said AU Commission’s statement on Wednesday.

However, the two sides are yet to agree on a sovereign council – the top tier of power, where both want a majority, according to reports from Sudan.

The Military leaders hope that a final deal on the transition would be reached within 24 hours.

Sudan has been ruled by the Transitional Military Council (TMC) since the toppling of President Omar Al-Bashir last month.

Protests that led to his downfall have continued amid demands for full civilian government.

Hours before the latest deal was announced, at least five protesters and a member of the security forces died in clashes in the capital, Khartoum.