Sudan: Why is the signing of the agreement postponed again?

The rivalry between General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo known as "Hemedti" (pictured) and General Burhan paralyzes Sudan. (Illustrative image) REUTERS - MOHAMED NURELDIN ABDALLAH

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

The signing of the final political agreement, announced on Thursday, has again been postponed. This agreement is supposed to put the democratic transition back on track and turn the page on the October 2021 coup. A preliminary agreement was signed in December, but left the thorniest issues unresolved, including the reform of military and security institutions. And it is on this point that the discussions always fail.

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With our correspondent in Nairobi, Florence Morice

What future for the RSF Rapid Support Forces, the former Darfur militias led by the powerful General Hemedti? That is the thorny issue that still needs to be resolved. The framework agreement signed at the end of December provides for their integration into the national army. This is not new. The civilian government of Abdallah Hamdok had already stumbled on this point. How can this be achieved today when the rivalry between General Burhan, the de facto leader of the regime and General Hemedti is at its height?

Rviality that therefore keeps the country in deadlock, since according to the FFC, the Coalition of Forces of Freedom and Change – cornerstone of the opposition to the military government, if the signature announced Thursday has been postponed, it is to allow a resumption of negotiations "between military" and no longer between military and civilians.

In a speech, General Burhan assured that "the parties" are working "tirelessly to resolve the outstanding issues". And that this new postponement was decided "with the aim of achieving a solid framework". Still, there is urgency in a Sudan that sinks every day a little more into the economic slump. And while the return to a civilian government conditions the resumption of international aid, suspended after the coup.

► Read also: In Sudan, the signing of the global political agreement postponed by five days

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