US urges all Sudanese sides to move towards civilian govt as military ruler pledges to dissolve Sovereign Council
Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The US says it has taken note of the announcement by Sudan's military leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, to dissolve the Sovereign Council once a civilian government has formed.
The Spokesperson for the US State Department, Mr. Nick Price, told a press briefing in Washington DC on Tuesday that the US encourages all sides "to re-engage, to find a solution that will keep Sudan moving towards a civilian-led government, democracy, and free and fair elections".
He said the US also calls for violence against protesters to be investigated and that the perpetrators be held accountable.
Mr. Price added that the US has consistently voiced its support for the Sudanese people's desire to advance their country’s democratic transition under full civilian leadership.
General al-Burhan in his televised speech on Monday night, said the Armed Forces would not stand in the way of a democratic transition and that he was committed to working towards elections.
He did not give any timeline for a return to constitutional rule and activists are taking the announcement with caution as the military leader has reneged on similar pledges in the past.
Activists have been demonstrating since October last year when the army ousted the civilian-led government of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok formed after the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir, with more than 100 people being killed so far.
-0- PANA MA 6July2022
