Signatories delay second phase of Sudan political process for one week

December 29, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – The Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) decided to postpone for a week the discussion of sticky issues initially scheduled for January 3.

Earlier this week, an FFC spokesman said the second stage of the political process would start in the first week of January with the dismantlement of the former regime because it is the easiest one of the five pending issues.

Several sources in the coalition told Sudan Tribune that the papers for workshops are still under preparation and some committees have not yet been formed.

“The coalition set January 9 as the date for the workshop on dismantling the (ousted) regime, with the participation of members of the suspended Empowerment Removal Committee in Khartoum and the states, legal experts, some representatives of the signatories to the framework agreement, and the resistance committees,” said Alwathiq Albereir told Sudan Tribune.

He added that the date of the rest of the workshops and the transitional justice conference will be determined after the first workshop.

The signatories of the framework deal agreed to hold extensive and inclusive talks on transitional justice, review of the Juba peace agreement, the eastern Sudan crisis, dismantlement of the former regime and security reforms.

Some armed groups reject the two-phase process as it would lead to forming a new civilian cabinet without political affiliation.

The non-signatories met with the FFC and reiterated their request to open the signed framework agreement for talks.

Albereir stated that the closed-door workshop on security and military reform will include representatives of the military component.

He further said that coalition groups hold discussions to bridge the differences between their members over some issues.

(ST)