The signing of the political agreement in the initials between the military council and «freedom and change» in Sudan

The coalition of forces «Freedom and Change» in Sudan and the ruling military junta yesterday, initialed the document of the political agreement that sets the framework of institutions of government, a demand for the President of the protesters since the ouster of President Omar al-Bashir last April, paving the agreement to resolve the political crisis, And guarantees a civilian majority in the sovereign council, amid a pledge by the signatory parties to respect and abide by its provisions.

The parties signed the "political declaration" after intensive 10-hour night talks at a luxury hotel on the Nile in Khartoum to finalize the details, part of the political agreement between the two parties, and the agreement remains on the constitutional declaration in the agreement.

"This is a historic moment" for Sudan, said Mohammad Hamdan Duklu, vice-president of the junta, also known as Hamidati, who signed the document on behalf of the military junta.

"It is a historic moment in the life of the Sudanese nation and its struggle, and opens a new and promising era of partnership between the armed forces and the rapid support forces with the leaders of the glorious Sudanese revolution and our partners in the Force of Freedom and Change," Hamidati said in a speech.

"There are two documents, the first of which is the political agreement and the structures of government, and the second is an annex to it," said Ibrahim al-Amin, deputy head of the National Umma Party.

He said, "Yesterday (yesterday) the completion of negotiations on the first document (the political declaration) will be signed in initials, and this is a small part of the agreement, while the second document in the next session next Friday."

"The transitional military junta in Sudan and the forces of freedom and change have agreed on a very large agreement, which is a decisive step in the path of comprehensive agreement between the two powers," AU mediator Mohamed Hassan Ould Labbat told a press conference.

He added that «this agreement opens a new era and facilitates the soil for the next step, which is the study and revision and the ratification of a constitutional decree for the transitional period».

The leaders of the military junta emerged from the hall amid the cheers of journalists and hotel staff «civil civil», one of the slogans and the main demands of «freedom and change».

Close to the headquarters of the agreement, about 100 people, the majority of whom are women, waving Sudanese flags and two "civilian" phones.

Ethiopian envoy and negotiator Mahmoud Dardier said Sudan was "a great and authentic country that must emerge from the crucible of poverty and siege and the so-called state sponsors of terrorism." "This great people deserve this historic day. Congratulations to Sudan and congratulations to Africa ».

In the presence of the African-Ethiopian mediation, and after 12 hours of negotiation, the parties postponed the debate on the Constitutional Declaration document that sets out the powers and functions of the governing bodies to tomorrow.

The political agreement, Chapter I, was devoted to the general principles, where the two parties agreed on the sanctity of the principle of national sovereignty and unity of Sudanese soil and the national unity of this country in all its diversity.

The parties shall deal with the principle of partnership and good faith and desist from the hostile and provocative rhetoric, both of which shall adhere to the principles of democracy, human rights and the traditional values ​​of the Sudanese people.

It was also agreed on the principle of settling all differences that may arise in dialogue and mutual respect.

Chapter II of the Agreement was devoted to transitional arrangements and to the determination of power-sharing ratios between the military junta and the forces of freedom and change.

The two parties agreed that the Council of Sovereignty shall be composed of 11 members, five military officers chosen by the Transitional Council and five chosen by the forces of the Declaration of Freedom and Change.

A member of the military shall preside over the Council of Sovereignty for 21 months from the date of signature of the Agreement, while the remaining eighteen months shall be headed by a civilian member of the Council within a total period of three years.

While leaving the definition of the powers, functions and powers of the Sovereign Council to the constitutional decree, whose debate was adjourned on Friday.

On the Council of Ministers, the two parties agreed that the forces of the Declaration of Freedom and Change would choose the prime minister's name for the civil government, according to the conditions stipulated by the constitutional decree.

According to the agreement, the Council of Ministers will be composed of national figures with independent competencies of no more than 20 ministers in consultation chosen by the Prime Minister from the list of candidates of the forces of the Declaration of Freedom and Change, except the Ministers of Defense and Interior appointed by the military component of the Council of Sovereignty.

The agreement added: "The prime minister may nominate a partisan personal exception with proven competence to exercise ministerial function."

The transitional constitutional decree, which is expected to be discussed and subsequently agreed upon, shall specify the powers and powers of the Council of Ministers.

The agreement stipulated that those who participate in the sovereign council or ministers should not be allowed to run in the subsequent elections for the transitional period.

The text states: "A person who has held a position in the Council of Ministers, the Council of Ministers or the governors of the states during the transitional period shall not be eligible to stand for elections after the transitional period."

Although the agreement was settled for all points of disagreement, it postponed discussion of the dispute over the Legislative Council to a future stage, and the parties merely retained their position regarding the proportion of the PLC.

The parties agreed that the discussions on its composition should be postponed until after the formation of the Houses of Sovereignty and the Ministers, but not later than three months after the composition of the Council of Sovereignty.

Until the Transitional Legislative Council is formed, its powers related to the enactment of bills are transferred to the Council of Ministers and approved by the Council of Sovereignty.

The political agreement provided for the formation of an independent national commission of inquiry into the violence of June 3, 2019 and other incidents and incidents in which violations of the rights and dignity of civilians, whether civilian or military, occurred.

With regard to policy development and an effective approach to achieving comprehensive peace in Darfur and the Blue Nile and South Kordofan regions, the agreement confirmed consultation with all armed movements.

The Agreement would extend the Comprehensive Peace Process not later than six months from the date of signature.

The Council of Ministers adopts an urgent economic, financial and humanitarian plan to address the challenges posed by the current situation.

The two sides also agreed to invite the African Union, the United Nations, the European Union, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the permanent members of the Security Council and all brotherly and friendly countries to mobilize strong economic, financial and humanitarian support to implement this agreement and support the transitional authorities in order to achieve the full success of their various tasks and functions.

On the response to the agreement, US special envoy to Sudan, Donald Booth, said yesterday that Washington looks forward to concluding the constitutional declaration during the Friday talks.

"We are grateful to the African Union and the Ethiopian mediators for their active role and perseverance," Booth congratulated all Sudanese parties on signing an agreement in the initials of the Political Declaration.

OIC Secretary-General Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen welcomed the signing of the first document of the political agreement and called on the international community to provide all forms of support to Sudan in this transitional period to promote sustainable peace and security.

He praised the effective role of mediation and the regional and international parties that contributed to the completion of this political process and the support of the Sudan to get out of the crisis it has experienced.

Al-Othaimeen affirmed the readiness of the Organization to harness its potential to support security, stability and development in Sudan in line with the resolutions adopted at the summit level and the Ministerial Council.