Sudan's ruling council vows to transfer power to people

KHARTOUM

Sudan's ruling Military Transitional Council (MTC) has vowed to transfer political power “to the Sudanese people”.

According to an MTC statement, council member Jalaleddin al-Sheikh al-Tayeb made the assertion at a Monday meeting in Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Hirut Zemene.

At the meeting, al-Tayeb reportedly said that the Sudanese army's assumption of power last week had “come in response to the people's demand for change and a better life”.

He went on to assert that the move was “not a military coup”.

The MTC, al-Tayeb explained, was now in the process of choosing a new prime minister to head up a sought-for civilian government.

He also called on the international community -- and the Addis Ababa-based African Union -- to “support the MTC with a view to helping us overcome Sudan’s political and economic difficulties”.

Zemene, for her part, expressed Ethiopia’s support for the MTC, voicing hope that the ruling military council would succeed “in restoring security and stability in Sudan”.

“Ethiopia is confident that Sudan will emerge from this critical phase stronger than ever,” the MTC statement quoted Zemene as saying.

Al-Tayeb arrived in Addis Ababa earlier Monday -- the first foreign visit by an MTC member -- to brief Ethiopian officials on developments in Sudan.

Last Thursday, the Sudanese army announced the ouster of President Omar al-Bashir, who had ruled Sudan since 1989, following months of popular protests against his rule.

It also announced the establishment of a military council to run the nation’s affairs for a two-year “transitional period”.

On Saturday, MTC chief Lieutenant-General Abdel-Fattah Burhan pledged to carry out wide-ranging political and economic reforms.

In a televised address, Burhan said that the two-year transitional period would conclude with “free and fair” presidential elections.

The MTC chief also vowed to prosecute corrupt officials linked to the al-Bashir regime, along with anyone found guilty of involvement in the recent killing of protesters.