Sudan's transition deal seen as significant, but doubts remain
Protesters and some observers are skeptical the agreement will end the political crisis in the east African country, but the United States and Gulf states have praised the deal.
The Sudanese military and pro-democracy actors came to an agreement on Monday to potentially end the political gridlock in the country following last year's coup.
Sudan's military leader Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan signed the agreement with the Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change, a coalition of pro-democracy groups advocating for a civilian transition.
The deal stipulates that the military, which has been ruling the country since 2021, will join a security and defense council under a new prime minister. However, the document did not set a date for a final agreement, nor did it specify military reforms, and it is opposed by some protest groups, according to multiple reports.
Why it matters: Sudan has been in political turmoil since 2019, when longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir was deposed in a military coup. A committee composed of a wide array of political actors as well as military officials then assumed the role of head of state via the Sovereignty Council, while civilian Abdulla Hamdok became prime minister. However, Burhan then ousted Hamdok and the council in another coup last year.
