Thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators marched in Sudanese capital Khartoum on Thursday against last year's military coup further demanding a civilian rule and better living conditions.

Sudanese demand return of civilian rule, better living conditions

Chad’s ruling military council has rejected an offer from northern rebels for a ceasefire and talks, calling them “outlaws” who needed to be tracked down and arrested for their role in the battlefield death of President Idriss Deby.

The rebels, known as the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT), said on Sunday that they were ready to discuss a political settlement, two weeks after they poured over the border on election day demanding an end to Deby’s 30-year rule.

They came as close as 200-300 km (125-185 miles) from the capital N’Djamena before being pushed back by the army. The air force has since bombarded rebel positions, the military and rebels said. The military said on Saturday it had “annihilated” the rebels.

“Faced with this situation, that is endangering Chad and the stability of the entire region, it is not the time for mediation or negotiations with outlaws,” spokesman Azem Bermendao Agouna said in a statement. He said some of the rebels had fled into Niger and asked authorities there to capture them.

Deby was killed on April 19 while visiting troops at the front, just after he won the election. His death shocked the Central African country, which has long been a Western ally against Islamist militants.

After Deby’s death, a military council headed by his son, Mahamat Idriss Deby, seized power and said it would oversee an 18-month transition to elections. Opposition politicians called this a coup. The rebels said they would not accept a “monarchy” and vowed to march on N’Djamena, before meeting resistance.

“FACT is ready to observe a ceasefire for a political settlement that respects the independence and sovereignty of Chad and does not endorse a coup d’etat,” FACT spokesman Kingabe Ogouzeimi de Tapol told Reuters on Sunday. 
 
CIVILIAN-MILITARY RULE?

The military council is under pressure to hand over power to a civilian transitional government as soon as possible. The African Union has expressed “grave concern” about the military takeover, while France and regional powers are pushing for a civilian-military solution.

A move towards temporary civilian-military rule could offer Chad a way out of the crisis. Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani are acting as mediators on behalf of the African Union. United Nations representatives are also holding talks with both sides.

A consensus is emerging among opposition politicians and civil society to support a transitional civilian president with a military vice president or prime minister, they told Reuters.

The proposal would mirror a transition in Mali, where a coup last August prompted international calls for the military to relinquish power. A civilian president was appointed with a vice president from the military, although the Malian opposition is still concerned about the military’s hold on power.

“Most of us are in favour of cohabitation between the military, politicians and civil society,” said Mahamat Ahmat Alhabo, president of the opposition PLD party. “The Malian model ... is very inspiring.”

Any agreement will require cooperation from the military council. Its spokesman, Azem Bermendao Agouna, said it was open to discussions, but added: “The army will solve all the major challenges and will organise free and transparent elections.”

Chad’s ruling military council has rejected an offer from northern rebels for a ceasefire and talks, calling them “outlaws” who needed to be tracked down and arrested for their role in the battlefield death of President Idriss Deby.

Chad’s ruling military council has rejected an offer from northern rebels for a ceasefire and talks, calling them “outlaws” who needed to be tracked down and arrested for their role in the battlefield death of President Idriss Deby. The rebels, known as the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT), said on Sunday that they were ready to discuss a political settlement, two weeks after they poured over the border on election day demanding an end to Deby’s 30-year rule. They came as close as 200-300 km (125-185 miles) from the capital N’Djamena before being pushed back by the army. The air force has since bombarded rebel positions, the military and rebels said. The military said on Saturday it had “annihilated” the rebels. “Faced with this situation, that is endangering Chad and the stability of the entire region, it is not the time for mediation or negotiations with outlaws,” spokesman Azem Bermendao Agouna said in a statement. He said some of the rebels had fled into Niger and asked authorities there to capture them. Deby was killed on April 19 while visiting troops at the front, just after he won the election. His death shocked the Central African country, which has long been a Western ally against Islamist militants. After Deby’s death, a military council headed by his son, Mahamat Idriss Deby, seized power and said it would oversee an 18-month transition to elections. Opposition politicians called this a coup. The rebels said they would not accept a “monarchy” and vowed to march on N’Djamena, before meeting resistance. “FACT is ready to observe a ceasefire for a political settlement that respects the independence and sovereignty of Chad and does not endorse a coup d’etat,” FACT spokesman Kingabe Ogouzeimi de Tapol told Reuters on Sunday. CIVILIAN-MILITARY RULE? The military council is under pressure to hand over power to a civilian transitional government as soon as possible. The African Union has expressed “grave concern” about the military takeover, while France and regional powers are pushing for a civilian-military solution. A move towards temporary civilian-military rule could offer Chad a way out of the crisis. Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani are acting as mediators on behalf of the African Union. United Nations representatives are also holding talks with both sides. A consensus is emerging among opposition politicians and civil society to support a transitional civilian president with a military vice president or prime minister, they told Reuters. The proposal would mirror a transition in Mali, where a coup last August prompted international calls for the military to relinquish power. A civilian president was appointed with a vice president from the military, although the Malian opposition is still concerned about the military’s hold on power. “Most of us are in favour of cohabitation between the military, politicians and civil society,” said Mahamat Ahmat Alhabo, president of the opposition PLD party. “The Malian model ... is very inspiring.” Any agreement will require cooperation from the military council. Its spokesman, Azem Bermendao Agouna, said it was open to discussions, but added: “The army will solve all the major challenges and will organise free and transparent elections.”

Chad military refuses talks with rebels as opposition presses for civilian rule

Rapturous crowds filled the streets of Khartoum Saturday as Sudan's generals and protest leaders signed a historic deal paving the way to civilian rule.&nbsp;

Thousands of cheering people gathered around the Friendship Hall next to the Nile, where the documents that will govern Sudan's 39-month transition were signed.

"This is the biggest celebration I have ever seen in my country. We have a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-from-demonstrations-to-transition-accord-243613">new Sudan</a>," said Saba Mohammed, a veiled 37-year woman, waving a small plastic flag.

Minutes earlier, the deal was signed by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, deputy chief of the military council, and Ahmed al-Rabie, representing the Alliance for Freedom and Change protest umbrella.

Heads of state, prime ministers and dignitaries from several countries -- including Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Egypt's premier Mustafa Madbuli -- attended the ceremony.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../sudan-generals-protest-leaders-ink- constitutional-declaration-240609">constitutional declaration </a>formalises the creation of a transitional administration that will be guided by an 11-member sovereign council, comprised of six civilians and five military figures.

The agreement brought an end to nearly eight months of upheaval that saw masses mobilise against President Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted in April after 30 years in power.

Thousands of people had arrived on trains from Sudan's provinces to take part in the celebrations, which will include a huge gathering in Khartoum's main gardens.

"We hope Sudan can move forward now, we want to be proud of our country," said Saida Khalifa as she got off the train after an all-night ride from Atbara, the town where the protests started in December last year.

"The guns must go silent now and we must pull the country out of this mess to gain peace and freedom," she said.

New institutions&nbsp;

The composition of the civilian-majority transition ruling council is to be announced on Sunday.

That follows the naming on Thursday of former senior UN official Abdalla Hamdok, a veteran economist, as transitional prime minister.

He is expected to focus on stabilising Sudan's economy, which went into a tailspin when the oil-rich south seceded in 2011.&nbsp;

Economic woes were the trigger that sparked the initial protests.

At Khartoum's central market early Saturday, shoppers and stallholders interviewed by AFP all said they hoped a civilian government would help them put food on the table.

"Everybody is happy now," said Ali Yusef, a 19-year-old university student who works in the market to get by.

"We were under the control of the military for 30 years but today we are leaving this behind us and moving towards the civilian rule," he said, sitting next to tomatoes piled directly on the ground.

"All these vegetables around are very expensive but now I'm sure they will become cheaper."

While it remains to be seen how the transition will change people's daily lives, residents old and young were eager to exercise their newfound freedom of expression.

"I'm 72 and for 30 years under Bashir, I had nothing to feel good about. Now, thanks to God, I am starting to breathe," said Ali Issa Abdel Momen, sitting in front of his modest selection of vegetables at the market.

But many Sudanese are already questioning the ability of the transitional institutions to rein in the military elite's powers during the three-year period leading to planned elections.

End of isolation?&nbsp;

The country of 40 million people will be ruled by an 11-member sovereign council and a government, which under the deal must be dominated by civilians.

However, the interior and defence ministers are to be chosen by military members of the council.

Observers have warned that the transitional government will have little leverage to counter any attempt by the military to roll back the uprising's achievements and seize back power.

Security forces deployed across Khartoum Saturday for the biggest international event in years in Sudan, which had become something of a pariah country under Bashir's rule.

One of the most immediate diplomatic consequences of the compromise reached this month could be Sudan's return to the African Union, which suspended the country's membership in June.

Bashir, who took power in a 1989 coup and is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of genocide in the Darfur region, had been slated to appear in court Saturday on corruption charges.

But his trial has been postponed to an undetermined date.

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Rapturous crowds filled the streets of Khartoum Saturday as Sudan's generals and protest leaders signed a historic deal paving the way to civilian rule. Thousands of cheering people gathered around the Friendship Hall next to the Nile, where the documents that will govern Sudan's 39-month transition were signed.

Rapturous crowds filled the streets of Khartoum Saturday as Sudan's generals and protest leaders signed a historic deal paving the way to civilian rule. Thousands of cheering people gathered around the Friendship Hall next to the Nile, where the documents that will govern Sudan's 39-month transition were signed. "This is the biggest celebration I have ever seen in my country. We have a new Sudan," said Saba Mohammed, a veiled 37-year woman, waving a small plastic flag. Minutes earlier, the deal was signed by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, deputy chief of the military council, and Ahmed al-Rabie, representing the Alliance for Freedom and Change protest umbrella. Heads of state, prime ministers and dignitaries from several countries -- including Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Egypt's premier Mustafa Madbuli -- attended the ceremony. The constitutional declaration formalises the creation of a transitional administration that will be guided by an 11-member sovereign council, comprised of six civilians and five military figures. The agreement brought an end to nearly eight months of upheaval that saw masses mobilise against President Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted in April after 30 years in power. Thousands of people had arrived on trains from Sudan's provinces to take part in the celebrations, which will include a huge gathering in Khartoum's main gardens. "We hope Sudan can move forward now, we want to be proud of our country," said Saida Khalifa as she got off the train after an all-night ride from Atbara, the town where the protests started in December last year. "The guns must go silent now and we must pull the country out of this mess to gain peace and freedom," she said. New institutions The composition of the civilian-majority transition ruling council is to be announced on Sunday. That follows the naming on Thursday of former senior UN official Abdalla Hamdok, a veteran economist, as transitional prime minister. He is expected to focus on stabilising Sudan's economy, which went into a tailspin when the oil-rich south seceded in 2011. Economic woes were the trigger that sparked the initial protests. At Khartoum's central market early Saturday, shoppers and stallholders interviewed by AFP all said they hoped a civilian government would help them put food on the table. "Everybody is happy now," said Ali Yusef, a 19-year-old university student who works in the market to get by. "We were under the control of the military for 30 years but today we are leaving this behind us and moving towards the civilian rule," he said, sitting next to tomatoes piled directly on the ground. "All these vegetables around are very expensive but now I'm sure they will become cheaper." While it remains to be seen how the transition will change people's daily lives, residents old and young were eager to exercise their newfound freedom of expression. "I'm 72 and for 30 years under Bashir, I had nothing to feel good about. Now, thanks to God, I am starting to breathe," said Ali Issa Abdel Momen, sitting in front of his modest selection of vegetables at the market. But many Sudanese are already questioning the ability of the transitional institutions to rein in the military elite's powers during the three-year period leading to planned elections. End of isolation? The country of 40 million people will be ruled by an 11-member sovereign council and a government, which under the deal must be dominated by civilians. However, the interior and defence ministers are to be chosen by military members of the council. Observers have warned that the transitional government will have little leverage to counter any attempt by the military to roll back the uprising's achievements and seize back power. Security forces deployed across Khartoum Saturday for the biggest international event in years in Sudan, which had become something of a pariah country under Bashir's rule. One of the most immediate diplomatic consequences of the compromise reached this month could be Sudan's return to the African Union, which suspended the country's membership in June. Bashir, who took power in a 1989 coup and is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of genocide in the Darfur region, had been slated to appear in court Saturday on corruption charges. But his trial has been postponed to an undetermined date.

Sudanese celebrate transition to civilian rule

Around seven people were killed on Sunday as tens of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tens-of-thousands-protest-to-demand-civilian-rule-in-sudan-231807">thousands of people took to the streets in Khartoum</a> demanding the ruling military hand over to civilians.

The local media quoting a health ministry official said that ''seven were killed in the protests'' but they didn't mention how they died or their identification.

Another 181 people were also injured, including 27 with bullets, the local media further added.

Several protesters waved the Sudanese flag and chanted "civilian, civilian" and "blood for blood" in several parts of the capital.

The security forces fired tear gas on protestors in the northern Khartoum district of Bahri and in Mamura and Arkweit, in the capital's east.

Watch:&nbsp;Military to blame civilians for clashes

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sudan-crisis-military-to-blame-civilians-for-clashes-231624/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Sudan’s military rulers overthrew president Omar al-Bashir on April 11 after months of demonstrations against his rule.

The citizens since then have been demanding civilian rule.

"We're fed up with the military. For decades this country has been ruled by the military. It didn't work and it will not work," said protester Nada Adel, 28.&nbsp;

Around seven people were killed on Sunday as tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Khartoum demanding the ruling military hand over to civilians. The local media quoting a health ministry official said that ''seven were killed in the protests'' but they didn't mention how they died or their identification.

Around seven people were killed on Sunday as tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Khartoum demanding the ruling military hand over to civilians. The local media quoting a health ministry official said that ''seven were killed in the protests'' but they didn't mention how they died or their identification. Another 181 people were also injured, including 27 with bullets, the local media further added. Several protesters waved the Sudanese flag and chanted "civilian, civilian" and "blood for blood" in several parts of the capital. The security forces fired tear gas on protestors in the northern Khartoum district of Bahri and in Mamura and Arkweit, in the capital's east. Watch: Military to blame civilians for clashes Sudan’s military rulers overthrew president Omar al-Bashir on April 11 after months of demonstrations against his rule. The citizens since then have been demanding civilian rule. "We're fed up with the military. For decades this country has been ruled by the military. It didn't work and it will not work," said protester Nada Adel, 28.

At least seven dead in Sudan's massive protest over civilian rule

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Khartoum on Sunday demanding the ruling military hand over to civilians, in the largest demonstrations since a deadly security service raid on a protest camp three weeks ago.

Protesters waved the Sudanese flag and chanted "civilian, civilian" and "blood for blood" in several parts of the capital as security forces looked on. Opposition groups posted videos of what they said were rallies in other cities.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/how-sudans-economic-crisis-had-a-role-in-protests-that-toppled-al-bashir-216685">Sudan</a>’s military rulers overthrew president Omar al-Bashir on April 11 after months of demonstrations against his rule.

Opposition groups kept up their streets protests as they pressed the military hand over to civilians.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/russia-joins-gulf-states-in-coaching-sudans-military-227032">Russia joins Gulf states in coaching Sudan military</a>

Talks broke down and protests paused after security services raided a sit-in protest outside the defence ministry on June 3. But there has been a run of smaller demonstrations in recent days, and the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) opposition coalition called for a million people to turn out on Sunday.

There was no immediate comment from the ruling military council which had warned a day earlier that the coalition would bear the responsibility for any loss of life or damage resulting from the rallies.

Members of one of the main opposition groups - the Sudanese Professionals' Association - said security services raided its headquarters on Saturday night as it was about to give a news conference.

The United Nations has said it has received reports that more than 100 protesters were killed and many more injured at the sit-in protest on June 3.

Military leaders have denied ordering a raid on the camp and said a crackdown on criminals nearby had spilled over to the sit-in. The council has said some officers had been detained for presumed responsibility and it still intends to hand over power after elections.

Mediators led by the African Union and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed have since been trying to broker a return to direct talks.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Khartoum on Sunday demanding the ruling military hand over to civilians, in the largest demonstrations since a deadly security service raid on a protest camp three weeks ago.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Khartoum on Sunday demanding the ruling military hand over to civilians, in the largest demonstrations since a deadly security service raid on a protest camp three weeks ago. Protesters waved the Sudanese flag and chanted "civilian, civilian" and "blood for blood" in several parts of the capital as security forces looked on. Opposition groups posted videos of what they said were rallies in other cities. Sudan’s military rulers overthrew president Omar al-Bashir on April 11 after months of demonstrations against his rule. Opposition groups kept up their streets protests as they pressed the military hand over to civilians. Also read: Russia joins Gulf states in coaching Sudan military Talks broke down and protests paused after security services raided a sit-in protest outside the defence ministry on June 3. But there has been a run of smaller demonstrations in recent days, and the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) opposition coalition called for a million people to turn out on Sunday. There was no immediate comment from the ruling military council which had warned a day earlier that the coalition would bear the responsibility for any loss of life or damage resulting from the rallies. Members of one of the main opposition groups - the Sudanese Professionals' Association - said security services raided its headquarters on Saturday night as it was about to give a news conference. The United Nations has said it has received reports that more than 100 protesters were killed and many more injured at the sit-in protest on June 3. Military leaders have denied ordering a raid on the camp and said a crackdown on criminals nearby had spilled over to the sit-in. The council has said some officers had been detained for presumed responsibility and it still intends to hand over power after elections. Mediators led by the African Union and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed have since been trying to broker a return to direct talks.

Tens of thousands protest to demand civilian rule in Sudan

People protest in Sudan as they demand that civilians run the country rather than the military. Watch full video to know more.

Protesters in Sudan demand civilian rule

civilian-rule

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