Signed in the capital Khartoum after months of negotiations after last year’s military coup derailed the transition, the deal aims to establish a new constitution.
Time for action
“I hope that the principles in the document will be translated into action,” said UN Special Representative to Sudan, Volker Perthes. “The transitional government should respect and protect the rights and freedoms of all Sudanese, regardless of their ethnicity, religion or political background.”
The initial agreement would create a new two-year civilian transition body led by a prime minister chosen by the coalition of civilian leaders who signed the agreement. The second phase will see public consultations on judicial, military and transitional security reforms and the agreement two years ago on the demilitarization of the volatile Darfur region.
It comes after months of protests and violence, which left more than 100 protesters dead by security forces and more than 8,000 “life-changing” injured, according to UN human rights chief Volker Türk, briefing journalist in Sudan last month.
‘Important first step’: Turkey
In a statement released on Monday, Mr Türk, also welcoming the new treaty, called meThis is an “important first step”, calling for sustained international support during the next period of transition.
Mr Türk said that on his fact-finding mission, where he met so many Sudanese, he said he was moved by their vision for a future “bound with human rights and justice.” .
He described the signing of the framework agreement as a great opportunity to ensure that their vision becomes a reality.
He also welcomed the release of two former officials as “an important confidence-building measure”. Before the signing on Monday, military authorities released Wagdi Salah, a prominent opposition figure who was detained earlier this year.
Mr. Perthes, speaking at the signing ceremony of the new agreement, said that the process that led to the agreement was “really Sudanese owned and led by Sudanese”.
‘New dynamic’
He welcomed the military’s commitment outlined last July to hand power back to civilian leaders, saying it had created “a new impetus that is now reflected in the understanding”. know about transitional institutions.”
He also highlighted the civilian leaders’ ability to forge broad consensus through compromise and emphasized the “decisive role” of young male and female protesters.
“If it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t be here right now. It is my hope that these young men and women will see this Agreement as an important first step towards the restoration of civil rule and the realization of the goals of the December revolution,” which led to the ousting of the former Soviet Union. dictator Omar al-Bashir, 2019.
UN stands with you
Mr. Perthes acknowledged the “ultimate price” many people had to pay when they took to the streets, saying the United Nations “stands with them to demand justice and accountability, as well as freedom of expression and assembly.” their peaceful meeting.”
He said it was important that the second phase of consultations begin immediately to reach a comprehensive political solution.
“While this framework agreement is far from perfect, it does provide a very good base from which to begin restoring the civilian regime. I strongly encourage all other parties to join the political process and participate constructively in the pursuit of this goal,” he concluded.
