This archive report was first published on 3 August 2019.
On August 3, 2019, Sudan's ruling military council and main opposition coalition reached a significant milestone in their protracted negotiations, agreeing on a constitutional declaration that will pave the way for a new transitional government.
The announcement was made by African Union mediator Mohamed Hassan Lebatt, who revealed that the two delegations had fully agreed on the constitutional declaration, but provided no further details.
The agreement marks a major breakthrough in the talks, which have been marred by violence and delays. The constitutional declaration outlines the terms of a three-year transitional period agreed upon by the military council and opposition leaders in July.
Under the power-sharing deal, a governing body consisting of six civilians and five generals will be formed. The document also outlines the terms of a three-year transitional period, during which a sovereign council, cabinet, and legislative body will be established.
Key provisions of the agreement include the dismissal and detention of nine Rapid Support Forces (RSF) soldiers accused of killing protesters, including four schoolchildren. The RSF will now fall under the general command of the armed forces, and the intelligence service will be co-supervised by the sovereign council and the cabinet.
The agreement has been welcomed by demonstrators, who have been calling for authority to be transferred to a civilian administration. The pro-democracy movement sees the long transition period as a victory, as it will allow time to dismantle the entrenched political network of the former regime and pave the way for free and fair elections.
Key details of the agreement include:
- Power-sharing will last for 39 months.
- A sovereign council, cabinet, and legislative body will be formed.
- A general will head the council for the first 21 months, followed by a civilian for the remaining 18 months.
- A prime minister, nominated by the pro-democracy movement, will head the cabinet.
- The ministers of defence and interior will be chosen by the military.
