FFC groups sign new political declaration

November 12, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – Several political groups, members of the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC), signed a political declaration supplementing the draft transitional constitution, Sudan Tribune learned on Saturday.

Earlier this week, a faction of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) led by Alhassan al-Mirghani endorsed the political declaration supporting a draft transitional constitution prepared by the steering committee of the Sudanese Bar Association.

The text, which includes principles reaffirming civilian government, justice, economic and security reforms as well as preparation for elections, has been circulated nearly two weeks ago.

“Over the past few days, the National Umma Party, the Unionist Alliance, and the Sudanese Professionals Association, signed the draft declaration individually. Also, the Popular Congress Party and the DUP which are not part of the FFC co-signed the text,” sources close to the process told Sudan Tribune.

The sources added that the rest of the revolution’s forces and groups would ink it within the next few days..

However, disagreements still persist over how to implement these principles, particularly, about the Empowerment Removal Committee, the review of the peace agreement, justice and the future of the Rapid Support Forces.

However, close sources to talks say the differences are now on the details, not the principles expressing hope that the stakeholders approve the draft constitution once the trilateral convenes a  meeting in the coming days.

Islamist protests

For their part, Sudanese Islamists and their allied group under the banner of Sudan’s people initiative organised another rally in Khartoum to show their opposition to the restoration of a civilian government to be formed by the FFC groups.

The Sudan Tribune noticed the participation of prominent leaders from the dissolved National Congress Party, such as Amin Hassan Omer and Anas Omer, in addition to dozens of youth leaders in the protest.

The protesters chanted slogans calling to expel the UNITAMS which they accuse of  “siding with the FFC forces”.

The National Consensus Forces are expected to hold a press conference on Sunday to express their position on the ongoing process between the military component and the FFC and allied groups.

The coalition, which gathers armed groups that supported the October 25 coup, signed a political agreement with a DUP of Gaffer al-Mirghani calling to keep amended the 2019 constitutional declaration and an agreement giving them 25% of the federal government.

(ST)