Sudan`s ruling military council and main opposition coalition have agreed on a constitutional declaration which will pave the way for a new period of transitional government, according to Mohamed Hassan Lebatt, African Union mediator on Saturday.
During a press conference after 11 hours of negotiations, the mediator expressed optimism about the announcement of the composition of the new transitional government.
Sudan`s situation has been in turmoil since the military ousted President Omar al-Bashir in April.
Protracted talks over the declaration have been held amid much violence.
The pro-democracy coalition issued a statement saying they would sign the document Sunday.
The military overthrew President Omar Al-Bashir in April following months of mass protests against his three-decade-long authoritarian rule.
On the other hand, the protesters remained in the streets, demanding a rapid transition to a civilian government. They have been locked in tense negotiations with the military for weeks while holding mass protests.
The two sides reached a preliminary agreement last month following pressure from the United States and its Arab allies, amid growing concerns the political crisis could ignite civil war.
The document provided for the establishment of a joint civilian-military sovereign council that would rule Sudan for a little over three years while elections are organized. A military leader would head the 11-member council for the first 21 months, followed by a civilian leader for the next 18. There would also be a Cabinet of technocrats chosen by the protesters, as well as a legislative council, the makeup of which would be decided within three months.
Ebtisam Senhouri, a negotiator for the protesters, told a press conference that the pro-democracy movement would choose 67% of the legislative body, with the remainder chosen by political parties that were not part of Al-Bashir’s government.
The military would select the defense and interior ministers during the transition.
The two sides had been pided over whether military leaders would be immune from prosecution over recent violence against protesters. It was not immediately clear whether they had resolved that dispute.
Demonstrators have since called for authority to be transferred to a civilian administration.
See also: Egypt`s Aids to South Sudan
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