The Sudanese Sovereign Council announced on Thursday that Sudan and the United States have reached an agreement on four issues to overcome the North African country’s political turmoil.
The news came after US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee and US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa David Satterfield met with Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the Sovereign Council.
The four points are the beginning of an inclusive dialogue between all Sudanese political parties in order to reach a national consensus to resolve the crisis, the formation of a civilian-led government, amendments to the transitional constitution, and the holding of free and fair elections by the end of the transitional period, according to a statement from the Sovereign Council.
The US has warned that those who obstruct the pact will face retaliation. In this context, the two diplomats cautioned that individuals who block the execution of the agreed objectives would face disciplinary measures, according to the US Embassy in Khartoum.
“The assistant secretary and special envoy made it clear that the US will examine steps to hold individuals responsible for failing to progress on these goals accountable,” the US Embassy said in part. They also stated that the US will not continue stopped aid to the Sudanese government “unless there is an end to violence and the restoration of a civilian-led government that reflects the wishes of the Sudanese people.”
Since Wednesday, a high-level US delegation has held extensive consultations with Sudanese stakeholders amid high tensions and ongoing protests in the capital, Khartoum, and other states.
Since the military takeover in Sudan in October, at least 72 protestors have been killed, according to doctors’ advocacy groups.
