The pro-democracy movement in Sudan has signed today a landmark deal with the ruling military council, paving the way for a transition to civilian-led government following the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir in April.
The deal is set to establish a joint military and civilian council to rule for over three years until elections can be held. It will also establish a Cabinet appointed by the activists and a legislative body.
After weeks of tense negotiations, the preliminary agreement was reached earlier this month following international pressure, amid growing concerns the political crisis could ignite civil war.
The military toppled al-Bashir following months of protests against his three-decade-long authoritarian rule.
The unrest in Sudan can be traced back to December 2018, when then President Bashir's government imposed emergency austerity measures to try to stave off economic collapse.
Cuts to bread and fuel subsidies sparked demonstrations in the east over living standards and the anger spread to the capital, Khartoum.
The protests broadened into demands for the removal of Bashir - who had been in charge for 30 years - and his government.
Since then, the protesters remained in the streets, with scattered violence happening every now and then, and consistent demands of a rapid transition to civilian leadership.
A council of generals assumed power on 11 April but it has struggled to return normality to the country.
The seven-member Transitional Military Council (TMC) is led by Lt-Gen Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan. The council says it needs to be in charge to ensure order and security.
But, according to analysts, the army is not a unified force in Sudan. Paramilitary organizations and various Islamist militias hold some sway.
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