Sudanese military leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on Monday said the army has withdrawn from ongoing political talks, reported CGTN Africa.
In a televised announcement, the army chief said the decision was taken to make room for political and revolutionary forces and other national factions to form a civilian government to lead the transitional period.
Notably, most civilian groups have refused to negotiate with the military since the coup, which has led to the current stalemate.
The army chief’s statement came on Monday after Sudan’s pro-democracy movement witnessed a deadly week. Mass public protests demanding an end to military rule have continued in the Khartoum area since Thursday.
Nine demonstrators lost their lives last week, bringing the total death toll to 114 the number killed in the crackdown against anti-coup protesters since October, the medics said.
Last October, the Sudanese military staged a coup, dissolving a transitional government formed after President Omar al-Bashir was toppled in a 2019 popular uprising.
The military takeover triggered frequent mass rallies demanding the army quit politics. The United Nations and the African Union have led mediation efforts to break the deadlock as the economic crisis has worsened, but there has been little sign of progress.
The Sudanese military chief called on civilian groups to start a serious dialog to bring the country back to a democratic transition. He assured that the military will be committed to implementing the outcomes of the dialog.
Burhan said the ruling sovereign council, which includes military and civilian members, would be dissolved once a new government forms. He did not specify any dates or who would replace the military at the negotiating table.
He added that a new Supreme Council of the Armed Forces would then be created and be responsible for security and defense tasks as well as related responsibilities in agreement with the government.
