The Sudan protest leaders have reportedly called off talks with the ruling military council that replaced ousted long-serving leader Omar al-Bashir as the council has failed to meet their demands for an immediate transfer to a civilian government, reported BBC.
Mohammed al-Amin Abdel Aziz, a spokesman for the Sudanese Professionals Association, on Sunday said the military council’s political committee is too close to al-Bashir, who is currently in Khartoum jail. He reiterated the group’s demand for an immediate transfer to a transitional civilian government that would rule for four years. The group said it would continue protests until and unless until their demand for a transfer of power to a civilian council is met.
The military removed al-Bashir earlier this month after four months of mass protests against his 30-year rule. The protesters fear the military has intentions to cling to power or appoint another general like al-Bashir. It is treating the military leaders as an extension of al-Bashir’s regime. The army initially said it would rule for up to two years until the time the elections are organized.
Thousands of protesters reportedly gathered outside army headquarters in Khartoum for a meeting to announce a civilian council they now want to take power. The military council, on the other hand, says it is committed to handing over power and will consider a joint military-civilian council.
New army ruler General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on Sunday said the council will respond to demonstrators’ demands within a week. He told state TV that the council is “ready to hand over power tomorrow to a civilian government agreed by political forces.”
Al-Burhan said the military is waiting for the factions behind the protests to submit the names of the proposed members of a transitional government. He added the military is considering constituting a civilian council but with a military representative.
