Africa
5 years ago

Sudan protest leaders ready to announce civilian council

-Reuters photo
-Reuters photo

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Protest leaders in Sudan are preparing to announce a civilian council they want to take power following the removal of Omar al-Bashir as president.

Thousands are gathering outside army HQ in Khartoum for the announcement, scheduled for Sunday evening, says BBC.

Protest leaders have been in talks with the military after it took power.

The military on Sunday said it was committed to giving power to the people and would consider a joint military-civilian council.

The campaign to remove Mr Bashir had been spearheaded by the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA).

It is behind the announcement of the council.

The SPA held talks with the military on Saturday and more are planned.

Senior SPA member Ahmed al-Rabia initially indicated this might delay the naming of the council but on Sunday he confirmed that the announcement would go ahead at the Khartoum protest site.

The protesters want the council to form a transitional government, leading to elections.

On Sunday it said it would respond to the call for civilian rule within a week, and indicated it might favour a joint council.

It has so far resisted demands to transfer power to a civilian grouping.

It has, however, released political prisoners and on Saturday arrested a number of top members of Mr Bashir's former ruling party.

While the military has promised not to remove protesters from their sit-in, it has also called on them to "let normal life resume".

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