AU and UN root for civilian-led transitional government in Sudan

By Samuel Abuya

The African Union and the United Nations have both expressed their support towards having a civilian-led transitional government in Sudan as opposed to the current military-led council which came to power after President Omar al-Bashir was overthrown last month.

After meeting the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday, the African Union Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat told news agencies that sustaining the military-led transitional council is a matter out of question saying “it is unacceptable”. He, however, said members of the military council can be including in the transitional government.

Initially, AU had given the military council 15 days to hand over power to civilians but later on extended to the ultimatum to 60 days.

The communiqué from the AU and UN on Sudan made it clear that the two bodies do not only welcome but also support “AU-led efforts to facilitate a consensual and civilian-led transition, in close coordination with the UN”. Mahamat confirmed that talks on the Sudanese transitional government are already underway.

Al-Bashir was ousted last month by the country’s military after 30 years in power. A series of protests from the pubic saw the military move into action bringing al-Bashir’s reign to an end.

Al-Bashir’s fall did not however stop the demonstrations. Protestors have remained in the streets demanding that the military hands over power to civilians.

On Monday, a contingent of paramilitary Rapid Support Forces recovered guns, including riffles fitted with silencers, explosive belts, and devices to remotely detonate explosives and satellite phones when they raided a property in the country’s capital Khartoum. The forces were acting on a tip off.

The seized weapons could not however be linked directly to the country’s current political situation. The protestors have, on the other hand, vowed not to leave the streets until power if handed over to the civilians.

Africa Global News Publication