Today, Friday, the US ambassador to Sudan, John Godfrey, called on the political factions that did not participate in signing the so-called "framework agreement" to join it, in an effort to restore the transitional authority to its path in the country.
Godfrey - who took over last year as the first ambassador to Washington in Khartoum for nearly 25 years - said that non-participants in the agreement still have the opportunity to join the political process.
We urge all parties to engage in good faith dialogue and to ensure that women, youth, and representatives from all over Sudan participate in shaping their country's future. The door remains open for non-signatories to the framework agreement participate in the process.(2 /2)
— John Godfrey (@USAMBSudan) January 13, 2023
"We understand that there are ongoing efforts to find a way for (the opposition) to feel that they can join" the agreement, he added, at the end of the first round of talks on the final stage of the political process.
Godfrey expressed his high hopes for the ongoing talks, saying it was "very clear" that the Sudanese factions were working towards the goal of restoring the transitional period in the country.
Last December, it was announced in Khartoum that a "framework" agreement had been signed between the military and multiple political forces, providing for the inauguration of a civilian-led political transition for a period of two years and ending with elections.
At that time, the signing ceremony - which took place in the presidential palace - was attended by the head of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, his deputy, Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo (Hamidti), and politicians and diplomats from Arab and European countries.
And last Monday, the political parties began talks in an attempt to reach a final agreement on forming a civilian government and resolving other outstanding issues, more than a year after the army excluded the civilian component from the political process.
And with the start of the final phase of the political process, last week Al-Burhan and Hamidti renewed their pledge to withdraw the army from politics and hand over leadership of the next phase to civilians.
Other talks are expected in the coming weeks on the main points of contention that were not addressed in the framework agreement, such as the dismantling of the regime of former President Omar al-Bashir, transitional justice and security sector reform.
The United Nations has hailed the start of the talks, saying it represents another important step forward towards realizing the aspirations of the Sudanese people for democracy, peace and sustainable development.
The agreement between the Sudanese parties aims to resolve a prolonged crisis since October 25, 2021, when General Al-Burhan imposed exceptional measures, including the dissolution of the Sovereign Council and the Transitional Ministers, the arrest of ministers and politicians, the declaration of a state of emergency, and the dismissal of governors (governors).