Image copyright
AFP
Some stall vendors returned to work on Tuesday – but most businesses remained closed
Protest leaders in Sudan have agreed to suspend widespread strikes and return to the negotiating table, an Ethiopian mediator says.
In return, the army – which has been in control since long-time President Omar al-Bashir was ousted in April – has agreed to release political prisoners.
The two sides will resume talks on the formation of a transitional council, Mahmoud Dirir told reporters.
Pro-democracy protesters are demanding a return to civilian government.
Talks broke down after dozens of protesters were killed in a crackdown on a sit-in on 3 June. Since then much of the country has been shut down after the opposition called for an open-ended strike.
Doctors say 118 people have died in the recent outbreak of violence, while officials say there were fewer fatalities – putting the number at 61.
Soldiers have patrolled the streets of Sudanese towns since then, while most businesses have remained closed.
- Sudan’s violent political crisis explained
A return to work – for now
On Tuesday, an Ethiopian mediator between the two sides, Mahmoud Dirir, said that talks on restoring a civilian administration would begin soon.
The army has agreed to release political prisoners as a confidence-building measure, he said.
The opposition Alliance for Freedom and Change issued a statement urging people to return to work on Wednesday.
The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), which called the strikes in the first place, backed the temporary suspension and urged people to return to work for the time being.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
Some shops and services had already started to re-open, mostly among small businesses and daily wage earners who could not afford to remain closed.
‘Equal’ power sharing on the cards
Military leaders have yet to formally confirm the return to talks.
But a member of the Transitional Military Council (TMC), Salah Abdelkhalek, told BBC Arabic that it might agree to “equal” power sharing with the opposition.
However, he said that the TMC is adamant that the head of the new council should be from the military.
Image copyright
Reuters
The strikes had shuttered many businesses
He also said that some military officers had been responsible for the 3 June crackdown, and said hundreds of soldiers, including officers, had been arrested – and endorsed the idea of an international probe into the violence.
But he added the TMC was willing to negotiate without preconditions.
Earlier on Tuesday, the top US diplomat for Africa announced a trip to Sudan to urge both sides to resume talks.
News of the return to talks followed the intervention of Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who met both sides to try and break the impasse.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that a 15-member ruling council has been proposed for the transitional period, made up eight civilians and seven military officials.