The African Union, as well as the United Nations, has confirmed they are supporting the protestors’ demand for a civilian-led transitional government in Sudan following the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir last month.
Al-Bashir, who had been in power for 30 years, was ousted last month by the military following months of protests. The military immediately declared a Transitional Military Council to lead a two-year transition period to elections.
After a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday, AU Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat told reporters that there is no question of sustaining the military council that assumed power after al-Bashir’s ouster, reported Aljazeera.
However, he said the military members could be made a part of a civilian government. The AU initially gave the military 15 days to hand over power but extended the deadline to 60 days. Mahamat said talks are underway.
The UN-AU communique said it fully supports “AU-led efforts to facilitate a consensual and civilian-led transition, in close coordination with the UN”.
The peaceful demonstrations have continued as opposition groups demand that the military hand over power to civilians. The protests initially erupted in December over the high price of bread and fuel, but then quickly demanded Bashir to step down.
The ruling military council and the protest groups haven’t yet arrived at a mutual decision about which should have a majority on the council – the military or civilians.
Sudan’s Transitional Military Council on Sunday said it will publish its own draft constitution after disagreeing with parts of one proposed by the Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces alliance of activists and opposition groups. A revised constitution is being prepared by the military and protest groups to run a joint military-civilian council before elections.
Last week, Sudan’s public prosecutor ordered for ousted President Bashir’s interrogation on money laundering and financing terrorism charges.
