Talks between Sudan’s opposition and military council resume

Representatives from Sudan’s protest movement will hold a new round of talks with members of the military on Monday to agree on the formation of a transitional authority, an umbrella group of unions and syndicates said.

The Sudanese Professional Association (SPA) announced on Sunday that the Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces, a leading opposition group, will meet the ruling Military Transitional Council (MTC) for a third time to set out the two groups’ prerogatives for the short term.

Talks between the two were brought to a halt over the opposition’s reservations about members of the old guard taking part in the negotiations.

Other points of contention included disagreements over the new body’s composition, with the military adamant that 10 of the 15 members hail from its ranks.

SPA’s statement did not specify whether the military conceded to the opposition’s demand of setting aside eight seats to civilian leaders, including one for women and youth.

The MTC is overseeing a two-year “transitional period”, during which it has pledged to hold a presidential vote, following former President Omar al-Bashir’s removal on April 11.

Opposition groups and protesters, however, have continued to stage demonstrations to demand that the ruling military council hand over power to a civilian administration.

On Saturday the protesters clashed with members of the Popular Congress Party of late opposition leader Hassan al-Turabi outside a meeting in Khartoum, leaving 65 party members injured.

The Sudanese opposition has rejected an African Union proposal to give the ruling military council a three-month deadline for handing power over to a civil administration.