Sudan’s Transitional Military Council (TMC) announced its vision for a solution during the transitional period, praising the constitutional draft proposed by the Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces.
It also stressed that differences are narrowing, and it will not take long for the agreement to be announced, adding that it agrees with the opposition on the general structure of the transitional regime, including the proposal of the two councils.
However, the TMC pointed to some points of disagreement, including the omission of Sharia law as a source of legislation and subjection of the armed forces to the politicians’ control.
“Our view is that Islamic Sharia and the local norms and traditions in the Republic of Sudan should be the sources of legislation," TMC spokesman Lieutenant General Shams El Din Kabbashi told reporters.
The Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces, an alliance of activists and opposition groups, sent the TMC the draft constitutional document on Thursday outlining its vision for the transitional period.
The draft describes the duties of a sovereign transitional council that the opposition groups hope will replace the TMC but does not specify who would sit on it. It also outlines the responsibilities of the Cabinet and a 120-member legislature.
Kabbashi noted that while there was some dispute, there was still room for negotiation, adding that some amendments were introduced to the alliance’s proposed draft.
Discussions with the opposition were ongoing, but calling early elections within six months would be an option if they could not reach an agreement, he said.
He also said the Council believes that the power to declare a state of emergency in the country should go to sovereign authority, not the Cabinet as the opposition suggested.
The transitional period should last two years, not four, which was the opposition's proposal, he added.
The TMC has “agreed on the mediation of some figures, who are keen on Sudan’s security and stability,” according to Kabbashi.
He noted that the mediation calls for the formation of a transitional sovereignty council including 10 members, in addition to the Defense Council, stressing that the reason behind forming and defining the security and defense council’s tasks is to protect the country and secure its national interests.
