Sudan military council, protest leaders sign landmark transition deal

Sudan’s protest leaders formally signed a deal with the Transitional Military Council in Khartoum on Saturday, paving the way for a transition to a civilian-led government following the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir in April.

The agreement was signed by the deputy head of Sudan’s Transitional Military Council, Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, and Ahmed Rabie, representing the Forces of Freedom and Change opposition alliance, in the presence of regional and international dignitaries including Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and South Sudanese President Salva Kiir.

Inking the deal on Saturday will establish a joint military and civilian council to rule for a little over three years until elections can be held.

It will also establish a Cabinet appointed by the activists and a legislative body.

The head of Sudan’s Transitional Military Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan received officials from Arab and African nations, including Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir, as well as from the European Union ahead of the signing ceremony in the capital, Khartoum.

After weeks of tense negotiations, both sides reached a preliminary agreement earlier this month following international pressure, amid growing concerns the political crisis could ignite civil war.

The military overthrew al-Bashir following months of protests against his three-decade-long authoritarian rule.

The protesters remained in the streets, demanding a rapid transition to civilian leadership.