Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok signed a deal with top military General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to reverse the military coup that had sparked international condemnation and mass protests, reported Africa News.
The coup took place almost two years after the ousting of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir.
The 14-point deal, signed in the presidential palace in Khartoum, restores the transition to civilian rule nearly a month after a military coup. It reinstates Hamdok as the Sudanese prime minister and calls for the release of all the detained civilian leaders.
The coup resulted in mass demonstrations across the country against the military. More than 40 people have lost their lives in mass protests against the coup so far.
Hamdok had been under house arrest since General al-Burhan declared a state of emergency and ousted the Sudanese government on October 25, a move that upended a two-year transition to civilian rule and sparked international condemnation.
“The house arrest of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has been lifted and the forces guarding his house have withdrawn,” an official said.
The agreement stated that “the decision of the general commander of the armed forces to relieve the transitional Prime Minister is canceled” and to release all political detainees.
Under the agreement, the reinstated Sudanese Prime Minister Hamdok will lead a cabinet of technocrats until elections are held. But it is unclear how much power the new civilian government will have, as it will be subject to military oversight.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Mr. Hamdok said the agreement gave him complete freedom to form his government and hold elections in Sudan before July 2023. It also calls for the release of political prisoners.
The Sudanese military takeover has sparked international criticism. The United Nations, the United States, and other international organizations have condemned the use of excessive Sudanese force against anti-coup protesters.
