Sudan generals, protest leaders agree on constitutional declaration

As the news broke out reporters gathered erupted in cheers

SUDAN-UNREST-AU-PRESSER African Union mediator Mohamed El Hacen Lebatt gives a press conference at the African Union offices in Khartoum | AFP

Sudan, the country that has been in a state of turmoil since April, when President Omar al-Bashir was ousted, finally can see some relief. The current military government and leaders have come to an agreement on the constitutional declaration, the African Union said on Saturday, paving the way for transitioning to civilian rule.

After prolonged negotiations between the two parties, the deal signed on July 17 aims for a joint civilian-military ruling body which will oversee the formation of a transitional civilian government and parliament to govern for a three-year transition period.

"I am announcing to the Sudanese, African and international public opinion that the two delegations have fully agreed on the constitutional declaration," AU mediator Mohamed El Hacen Lebatt said. The governing body will consist of five civilians and six generals.

Mohamed El Hacen Lebatt said meetings will be held to work out the technical details of the deal and discuss the formal signing ceremony.

As the news broke out reporters gathered erupted in cheers and the generals immediately exited the hall where the negotiations were held in Khartoum. Protest leaders remained to answer journalists' questions.

"We agreed on sensitive issues related to security and independence of the judiciary and the powers of the cabinet as well as the ruling sovereign council," protest leader Ibrahim al-Amin said.

Under the agreement, "the feared paramilitary Rapid Support Force will report to the head of the armed forces," said protest leader Monzer Abu al Maali.

Though further details about the agreement were not given, more technical details will be worked out during the signing ceremony, sources said. The jubilant crowds waved the Sudanese flag chanting "civilian, civilian" and women were ululating as cars driving honked their car horns.

"We have been waiting for a civilian state to seek fair retribution from the murderers of our sons," one protester Somaiya Sadeq said.

The roles of Sudan’s General Intelligence Service and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the countries most powerful para military force, has been outlined in the agreement. The intelligence service will report to the cabinet and the sovereign council for the duration that the transitional government will reign.

"For us, the revolution succeeded now and our country set foot on the road toward a civilian rule," said a 25-year-old protester Ahmed Ibrahim.