Sudan’s rival generals again postpone signing of final political agreement, calls for protest

Sudan’s rival generals again postpone signing of final political agreement, calls for protest

Sudan’s civilian representatives have called for fresh nationwide protests after talks between military factions have reportedly further delayed the signing of an agreement to resume Sudan’s democratic transition.

The transition to civilian-led rule that began following the 2019 ouster of long-ruling Islamist general Omar al-Bashir was derailed by a coup in October 2021 led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Security reforms are a key point of contention in negotiations held over the past weeks, building on a preliminary accord reached in December 2022 to install a civilian government.

The Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC), a historic civilian bloc, said in a statement on Wednesday April 5 that the signing ceremony scheduled for the following day has been delayed again “due to a resumption of talks between soldiers… on 1 April 1 and April 6”. While some progress had been made on several points, one final question remained, the FFC added.

According to analysts, the main sticking point in the proposed reforms is how to integrate the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Burhan’s deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, into the regular army. There has been a deepening rift between Burhan and Dalgo over the timetable for the RSF’s integration. The FFC also called for peaceful nationwide protests in the capital Khartoum for “freedom, peace and justice” and against the return of “the old regime”, after several high-ranking officials from the Bashir era found roles in the current administration. The worsening state of Sudan’s economy has put pressure on all sides to reach a deal, which is a precondition for the resumption of international aid to the impoverished country.

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