Sudan’s army rulers, protesters differ on joint council make-up

Sudan’s army rulers and protest leaders have offered differing visions for a joint council, but a military spokesman said he hoped a final structure for the body could be agreed soon.

The talks came after the two sides on Saturday agreed to form a joint civilian-military body to rule the northeast African country.

“The military council has presented its vision for a 10-member joint council, with seven military representatives and three civilians,” a spokesman for the military council, Lieutenant-General Shams al-Din Kabashi, told reporters after a joint panel met on Monday.

“The Alliance for Freedom and Change presented its vision of a 15-member joint council, with eight civilians and seven military representatives,” he said, referring to the group that is leading the protest movement that has rocked Sudan for more than four months.

Kabashi said Monday’s talks ended with both sides agreeing to consider each other’s views.

He also defended the military’s demand for a majority in the joint council, without clarifying why the army generals were insisting on it.

Kabashi said talks will continue on Tuesday.

No deal    

In a statement, the protest leaders’ alliance confirmed no agreement was reached over the composition of the sovereign council.

It also said both sides will present proposals on transitional structures, including a future civilian government and legislative body, and their respective powers, within 24 hours.

“Our sit-ins and marches shall continue until all the revolution’s goals are achieved,” the alliance added.

A joint council, if agreed, would replace the existing 10-member military council that took power after the army overthrew veteran leader Omar al-Bashir on April 11 amid massive protests against his rule.

The creation of a joint council would pave the way for a civilian administration as demanded by protesters as they continue to rally outside the army headquarters in central Khartoum.