Sudan’s FFC to sign framework agreement with military component in 10 days

November 16, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – The Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) announced an imminent framework agreement with the military component to end the ongoing political crisis in Sudan after the October 25, 2022 coup.

In a press conference held on Wednesday, the FFC mainstream “Central Council” held a press conference to announce a two-phase process dubbed “Towards a credible and transparent political process to end the coup and its effects and completes the tasks of the glorious December revolution.”

The purpose of the process is to ensure the participation of the revolution’s forces in the democratic transition and to form a large coalition backing the needed reforms, said Yasir Arman in statements to Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

He said they agreed on a two-stage process to ensure the inclusive participation of more social and political forces on the sticky issues.

“First, there is a framework agreement including all the necessary mechanisms to end the coup and establish a democratic civil authority based on the document of the Sudanese Bar Association and the political declaration. This agreement will be signed within 10 days,” said Arman.

“The second stage is the final agreement developing the framework agreement with the participation of a wide public of stakeholders and revolutionary forces in four main areas,” he further said.

These areas are: “the Justice and transitional justice, security and military reform, Juba Agreement for Peace in Sudan and completion of peace and the dismantlement of the former regime”.

With regard to the dismantling of the former regime, he said that it includes “the review of all the decisions issued after October 25, 2022”

Three days ago, the head of the Sovereign Council, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, said that the military component has reached “understandings” with the FFC groups.

However, he reassured his troops that the military would not accept being reformed by a civilian government during the transitional period and any change would be decided and implemented by the army.

FFC leading member Taha Osman confirmed and emphasized that they agreed with the military that the transitional government would be fully civilian.

“There is no partnership, and there is no military council,” he asserted.

Arman told Sudan Tribune that the security and defence council will be chaired by the prime minister.

“The armed forces would remain far from politics,” he added.

Asked about the armed groups that supported the coup, Arman stressed the need for joint action to review the Juba peace agreement and to ensure its implementation.

“This will pave the way for a new stage. Now, they have to table a new vision and proposals so that all the parties can agree on a joint vision for the sake of democratic change,” he said.

During the press conference, the FFC leaders called for clear regional and international support for the two-phase plan reached by the two parties.

In his statements to Sudan Tribune, Arman said that at the current stage they request political support for this agreement from the international community, particularly the countries that backed the civil democratic transition.

“After that, we hope to get technical and economic support for the transitional period and financial guarantees to ensure the success of the democratic process,” he added.

(ST)