Mediators will launch process to restore civilian-led transition in Sudan

March 28, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – The tripartite mediation including UN, AU and IGAD will launch within two weeks the second phase of a political process aiming to restore a civilian-led government, the UNITAMS head told the Security Council.

In his 90-day briefing to the Security Council on Monday, Volker Perthes spoke about the violence, protests and difficult economic conditions the country is experiencing after the coup of Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in October 2021.

Also, he spoke about increased tensions between and within the different security forces, alluding to the regular army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary force.

“The country will head towards an economic and security collapse” unless a political solution is reached he warned.

However, he gives some glimpse of hope when he said there is a large consensus between the Sudanese stakeholders in light of the findings of the inclusive consultations he conducted during the past period.

“Encouragingly, consensus was visible on many issues including the need for an end to the violence, for a technocratic government, for a transitional legislative council to serve as an oversight body and adopt critical legislation,” he said.

He added that there was agreement on the need to reconsider the role, size and membership of the Sovereignty Council, for meaningful representation of women in transitional institutions at a minimum of 40%, for one unified professional army, for judicial entities to be established, and for creating conditions for credible elections.

Based on this outcome, Perthes announced that they would start an intensive phase of talks in the “next couple of weeks”, even if it would coincide with the month of Ramadan

“We anticipate that stakeholders will participate in the month’s spirit of peace and forgiveness,” he stressed.

The head of the international transition assistance mission agreed earlier this month with the AU and IGAD envoys to join hands in order to achieve four goals leading to restoring the civilian-led transition in Sudan.

The first priority for the three mediators is to reach an agreement on the transitional constitutional arrangements including the structure and functions of the government, parliament, and judicial institutions.

This step will be followed by three others: the mechanism for the selection of the prime minister and his cabinet, a government programme, and the electoral process at the end of the agreed transition’s time.

Perthes stressed that they have requested the military component to end violence against protesters, release political detainees and lift the state of emergency to create a conducive environment for the political process.

Some 90 protesters have been killed by security forces. Also, the anti-coup protests now are extended to include those who take to the street against the deteriorating economic conditions as a result of the coup.

(ST)