Sudan’s military coup leader, Abdelfatá al Burhan, confirmed Sunday the start of new talks to settle the political transition process in the country but warned that the Sudanese Army «will not sit idly by» while the country collapses during the slow process of dialogue.
Al Burhan, head of the country’s Sovereign Council, led a coup a year ago that halted the country’s transition to elections following the ouster of Omar al Bashir after three decades of rule. The military man justified his decision by the perceived inability of the country’s political organizations to agree on a transition process.
This Sunday, in a speech to the military at a Khartoum base, Al Burhan confirmed this week’s news of a new constitutional draft being considered by the army but warned political parties and civilian organizations that he will not allow them to waste time while the country «collapses».
«Sudan is witnessing many initiatives and few solutions,» Al Burhan lamented in statements reported by Al Arabiya, «but this country can no longer bear so many proposals without any agreement, nor do the Sudanese deserve to remain three years without a government.»
The draft constitution, drafted by the Sudanese Bar Association in August, establishes a civilian-led transitional authority with oversight by the armed forces, which would leave politics after an agreement is signed.
Without elaborating on details, this draft is now undergoing redrafting and submission of amendments by various political and civilian groups, but Al Burhan has already advanced that he will not sign «any document that calls for the disintegration of the army.»
Al Burhan has however assured that the civilian forces that pushed for the fall of Al Bashir will be invited to this new draft, and has distanced himself from rumors linking him to members of the banned Bashir National Congress Party, who are gradually reintegrating into public life.
«Get out. Thirty years of rule has been enough. Don’t expect the army to bring you back. Give the people another chance,» he said.
