The head of the Transitional Sovereign Council in Sudan, Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, said that they have “understandings” with the forces of freedom and change, noting that he “touched their patriotism” and that they “committed not to return to power.” He also stressed that no party would be allowed to dismantle the army.
Burhan added in his speech today, Sunday, "We assure you that we will proceed to what achieves stability and unity of Sudan," stressing that "our cause is to protect the homeland and the people without bidding."
Al-Burhan stressed that he would not allow any party to dismantle the army, and said that "anyone who tries to interfere in the affairs of the army or incite its members, we will consider him an enemy of us," reiterating his warning "to the same parties to stay away from the army and not to incite its officers."
He also said that the army wants a civilian government that will carry it and stand by it, noting that their relations with neighboring countries are "balanced and not tainted by any tension."
Last Sunday, in a speech at the Hattab military base north of the capital, Khartoum, Al-Burhan issued a stern warning to the (formerly ruling) National Congress and the Islamic Movement not to hide behind the army, stressing that the military establishment is not affiliated with any faction or party.
He addressed those who said that they accused the army of being loyal to some parties, saying: "The army has no faction or party, and it will never defend a faction or party."
He stressed that "the armed forces will not allow any group to return through it, whether the National Congress or the Islamic movement or others. We are the army of Sudan."
On April 11, 2019, the army leadership dismissed President Omar al-Bashir from the presidency (1989-2019) following popular protests that began in late 2018, denouncing the deteriorating economic conditions.
Scenes from the "Dignity 2" procession, which calls for it, the "Call of the People of Sudan" initiative of the National Accord in the capital, Khartoum pic.twitter.com/Rgh55XKfih
— Sudan Plus Sudan Plus (@SudanPlusNews) November 12, 2022
protest demonstration
Yesterday, Saturday, the Sudanese capital witnessed a protest demonstration rejecting what it called the interference of foreign embassies in Sudanese affairs.
Thousands came out in front of the headquarters of the UN mission, carrying national flags;
Rejecting the expected political settlement, and protesting against "foreign interference" in the country's internal affairs.
The demonstrators chanted slogans against the UN mission in Sudan, calling for "the non-interference of Western embassies in preparing the transitional constitution."
The protesters also demanded the expulsion of the head of the UN mission, Volker Peretz, and his refusal to achieve a bilateral political settlement between the military and the forces of freedom and change.
The demonstrators raised banners bearing slogans including: "No to a bilateral settlement," "No to external interference," "The people reject guardianship," "No to a political settlement," and "No to the new constitutional document."
The demonstration came at the invitation of the banned "National Congress" party (formerly ruling) and Islamic currents, under the slogan "The Second Parade of Dignity".
The tripartite mechanism (the United Nations, the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)), and the International Quartet (the United States, Britain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE) are active in preparing a political settlement between the military and civilians, on the basis of the draft transitional constitution prepared by the Sudanese Bar Association.