Sudan transitional period may be shortened: UN diplomat

WASHINGTON

A two-year transitional period planned by the Sudanese military following its removal of longtime President Omar al-Bashir could be shortened, Sudan's UN charge d'affairs said Friday.

Yasir Abdelsalam did not elaborate on what conditions would facilitate the easing of the military's timeframe while addressing reporters at the UN's New York headquarters after a Security Council meeting. But he said the events following al-Bashir's ouster are "a domestic matter" dependent on "the will of the Sudanese people."

"Any democratic process requires time and that should not be threatened," Abdelsalam said. "We call on our partners in the international community to support peaceful transition in the country in a way that would help open the path to stability and prosperity."

The Sudanese military on Thursday announced the removal of al-Bashir, who has ruled Sudan since 1989, following months of popular protests against his rule.

It also announced the imposition of a two-year transitional phase to be overseen by the transitional council run by the military.

The Sudanese Professional Association on Friday called on the council to immediately relinquish executive authority to a civilian government.

In a statement, the group described the council's assumption of power as “absurd theater”.

“Our position is based on the Sudanese people's experience dealing with the regime’s longstanding practice of using deception and theater,” it said.

Accusing the military council of protecting the interests of Sudan’s deep state “under a different guise”, the association vowed to peacefully resist an army-imposed curfew and state of emergency.

*Betul Yuruk contributed to this report from the United Nations