Khartoum (AFP)

Sudan commits Sunday concretely in the period of transition to a civilian power, which it hopes to appease, with the expected appointment of members of the Sovereign Council, the day after the historic agreement signed by the military leaders and the challenge.

On Saturday, jubilant crowds filled the streets of Khartoum after the signing by the ruling generals and leaders of the challenge of a 39-month transition agreement, to be conducted by a "Sovereign Council" of 11 members -six civilians and five military.

The signing ceremony, which took place in the capital in the presence of many foreign dignitaries, was the largest event of its kind to be held in years, cutting with Sudan's years of isolation.

Many countries hailed the signing of the agreement as the starting point for a "new Sudan" after Omar al-Bashir's 30-year rule since being deposed by the army in April. the pressure of massive demonstrations.

"This agreement responds to the demands of the Sudanese people, who have tirelessly called for change and a better future," said British Secretary of State Andrew Stephenson.

On Twitter, US Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo promised that Washington would support the establishment of "a government that protects the rights of all Sudanese and leads to free and fair elections".

- New institutions -

According to documents signed Saturday, several steps will precede the elections scheduled for 2022.

Abdallah Hamdok, a former UN economist chosen as early as Thursday by the contestation as Prime Minister, should then be formally appointed Tuesday by this Council.

The government must be formed on August 28, with a maximum of 20 members, to allow the new institutions to face the main challenges of the country, primarily the revival of an economy in crisis.

After eight months of demonstrations in which more than 250 people were killed, according to a committee of doctors close to the protest, thousands of Sudanese celebrated the agreement late Saturday in Khartoum. They danced, sang and chanted "civil, civil", in reference to a civil power, all accompanied by car horns.

- short-lived euphoria? -

Some members of the Alliance for Freedom and Change (ALC), the spearhead of the protest, fear however that the euphoria is short-lived, and tensions remain.

While the transitional agreement reached in early July has been hailed as the best that Sudan can hope for, some critics say it has harmed their revolution.

They point to the omnipresence in the transition process of General Mohammed Hamdan Daglo, at the head of a paramilitary force and N.2 of the Military Council until then in power. He also co-signed the agreement on Saturday.

The feared paramilitary members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) he leads are accused of brutally suppressing several demonstrations. Many fear that General Daglo, known as "Hemeidti", will attempt to seize power and kill the democratic process.

But for the Sudanese analyst Abdel Latif al-Buni, the biggest risk in the immediate future for the transition is the divisions within the contestation itself.

Omar al-Bashir, who is the subject of international arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for "genocide", "crimes against humanity" and "war crimes" in Darfur (west), must be judged Sudan for corruption. But the date of his trial is undetermined.

© 2019 AFP