The ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) and Sudan’s protest leaders have agreed to meet, following calls by AU-Ethiopia mediators. Negotiations reportedly began on Wednesday, with the condition to reach a decision within 72 hours.

Military or Civilian?

Following the army’s ousting of President Omar al-Bashir in April, “The TMC and opposition coalition have, for weeks, wrangled over what form Sudan’s new government should take.” This, along with the crackdown on protesters, led to the breakdown of negotiations.

Madani Abbas Madani, a protest leader in the country, informed reporters on Wednesday of the decision to resume negotiations. He said: “Our conditions included the categorical rejection of a permanent military presidency of the sovereign council, the ratification of previous agreements between the two parties, the handing over of a written document by the military council confirming this, and the review of confidence-building and approval procedures.”

On Sunday, June 30th, thousands of protesters took to the streets to demand civilian rule, in what is now called the ‘million-man march.’ Following this, protest leaders have called for another mass protest on July 13th and a day of civil disobedience on July 14th, a move which is guaranteed to increase the pressure on the military.