After months of protests and negotiations, the Transitional Military Council and the opposition in Sudan have signed an agreement. The agreement, which was announced on July 5th, was officially signed by the Military and the Forces for Freedom and Change, a coalition of civilian opposition groups and protesters.

What Was Agreed?

• Establishment of a new transitional civilian-military ruling body.
• The governing body will have a total of six civilians and five military representatives.
• A general will head the ruling body for the first 21 months of the transition, followed by a civilian for the remaining 18 months.
• The body would oversee the formation of a transitional civilian administration that will govern for a three years transition period.
• Elections will be held after three years.
• The protest coalition will nominate the prime minister, who will name a cabinet of 20 ministers. The military will appoint the interior and defence ministers, according to Al Jazeera.

What Was Not Agreed?

• Immunity for generals over violence enacted on protesters: Following a crackdown on protesters on June 3rd, a major sticking point is the prosecution of the soldiers responsible. While the TMC wants absolute immunity, the civilians are not for it.
• Roles and limitations of power: According to Al Jazeera’s Hiba Morgan, “The political document doesn’t mention what roles the sovereign council and the cabinet will have.”

Hope and scepticism greet the new deal in Sudan, as these crucial points need to be addressed. A more detailed constitutional declaration is expected to address all the issues. It is expected to be signed by 19th July.