Despite disagreements over the incorporation of a paramilitary force, which have twice delayed the signing of a final contract, the leader of the Sudanese armed forces stated on Thursday that he remained committed to a plan for a new transition to elections.
The agreement, which stipulates the establishment of a civilian government has the support of the international community. It is intended to cover the political vacuum created by the October 2021 coup.
The signing was originally scheduled for late Wednesday, but was again postponed as the army and the potent paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) negotiated the details of their respective commitments to military reform.
Since the coup prevented a previous political transition, pro-democracy “resistance organizations” have organized anti-military demonstrations and oppose the accord.
Thursday commemorated the fourth anniversary of the 2019 sit-in that ultimately led to the ouster of long-time dictator Omar al-Bashir. Sudan witnessed its largest public demonstrations of the year.
According to political and military sources, tensions have emerged in recent weeks between the army and the RSF. It is mainly over the anticipated timeline for the RSF’s incorporation into the military.
The RSF asserts that reorganization, which should include internal changes within the army, requires ten years. The army is insisting on only two years.
