News / Sudan

‘Protesters will no longer support Sudan military council’

Monday, 22 April 2019 12:09 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 22 April 2019 12:23 AM ]

Sudanese protesters gather as they shout slogans during a rally outside the army headquarters in the capital Khartoum on April 21, 2019. (Photo by AFP)

Sudanese protest leaders say they will no longer recognize the country’s military council, and will escalate demonstrations to confront the junta rulers, as part of a widening campaign to push for the transfer of power to civilians.

Demonstrators no longer recognize the Transitional Military Council that assumed power after the ousting of President Omar al-Bashir last week, a protest leader said, addressing a rally outside the Defense Ministry in central Khartoum.

The protesters had earlier warned they would suspend contacts with the political committee of the council for being composed of what they called the remnants of the ousted regime.

The opposition also complained that the committee is dealing with them like the previous regime.

The head of Sudan's transitional military council, however, insisted that the role of the council complements the uprising.

Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said the formation of a joint military-civilian council is being considered forthwith.

Speaking on Sunday, Burhan said “the council is committed to giving power to people.” He said the council would respond to the popular demand for the formation of a civilian government within a week.

PressTV-Sudan junta ruler 'committed to handing power to civilians'

Sudan’s military ruler General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan says the transitional military council he heads is committed to transferring power to a civilian body.

He also confirmed that former president Omar al-Bashir and senior officials from his circle had been jailed.

After some four months of anti-government protests, long-time leader Bashir was ousted by the military on April 11.

However, the military council, which was first led by Lieutenant General Ahmed Awad bin Auf for only several hours, has resisted calls from protesters to quickly make way for the establishment of a civilian council.

Protest leaders say the civilian council would form a transitional government to rule the African country for a four-year term, followed by elections.

The 10-member military council was originally formed for a planned two-year transitional period. Despite negotiations with protesters, the two sides have struggled to agree on the shape and form of a civilian leadership.

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