What You Need to Know About Sudan’s Military and Civilian Power-Sharing Deal

On 5 June 2019, the ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) and Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) have agreed to establish a joint 11-member military-civilian sovereign council that will rule the country by rotation for a period of at least three years and three months. After that, the country would hold democratic elections in 2022.

Five seats would go to the military and five to civilians, with an additional seat given to a civilian agreed upon by both sides.

The TMC and FFC have also agreed to launch an independent investigation into the violence that began on 3 June 2019 when Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and other paramilitary forces raided the monthslong mass sit-in in front of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), killing at least 120 people and injuring more than 300. In addition, an independent national commission of inquiry will be set up to investigate events since Al Bashir’s removal in April 2019.

Military representatives will lead council for first 21 months and the civilian council will lead for the remaining 18 months.

FFC will appoint a cabinet of ministers. A legislative council will be formed after the appointment of the sovereign council and the cabinet.

Summary of the agreement:
1. Full transition period of 3 years and 3 months. First 6 months for establishing peace. First 21 months (including the initial 6) to be headed by the TMC. Second 18 months to be headed by the civilians. 3/6 #StandWithSudan

— تجمع المهنيين السودانيين (@AssociationSd) July 5, 2019

The two sides have also agreed to set up a committee of lawyers, including jurists from the African Union (AU), to finalise the agreement within 48 hours. The transition agreement is expected to be finalised on Monday, 8 July 2019.

The reactions

The signing of the agreement has been met with both celebration and objection. Although the two sides reaching an agreement has been widely-celebrated, many are still concerned that it is not a fair deal. For some, the revolution has won. For others, the agreement is a betrayal of the revolution. 

Mixed reactions to agreement between FCF & TMC between celebrations, cautions optimism and rejection. Devil is in the details. #Sudan #SudanUprising #السودان #تسقط_بس

— Isma’il Kushkush (@ikushkush) July 5, 2019

الناس احسن توفر طاقة مشاعر الفرح والزعل العندها بخصوص الاتفاق وكذلك طاقة الدخول في مجادلات لإقناع الطرف الآخر بمبررات مشاعره وصحتها. هناك معارك كبيرة قادمة الطريق سواء نجح الاتفاق او فشل

— Wasil Ali – واصل علي (@wasilalitaha) July 5, 2019

I think you’ve misread the situation. This capitulation by the FFC brings #Sudan no closer to democracy.The TMC still retain head of state as well as control of the levers of power from the media to the military.All it does is remove internal & external pressure off the TMC https://t.co/xtux6eJE6F

— Mohanad Elbalal (@MohanadElbalal) July 5, 2019

The military will govern the first 21 months out of 3 years. This isn’t civilian-led rule in my book, but would international community consider it as such & go back to business with the junta behind doors? Was our revolution used to legitimize criminals? https://t.co/mI3md7YptB

— Uzaz🌾عُزاز (@3ozaz) July 5, 2019

The future of political power in Sudan remains uncertain.

In addition, the internet is still mostly blacked out in Sudan. It has been shutdown since the brutal raid on protesters on 3 June. Now that an agreement has been reached, many are expecting the return of the internet.

After power-sharing agreement reached, the nationwide protests have been called off. However, the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) are continuing to lead the revolution, holding a series of public meetings across Sudan to explain the agreement and why it was signed. “We initiate a new agenda as a preliminary part of an integrated plan and long-term project that we all contribute to the collective leadership,” said SPA on its social media accounts.

Our first demand was the downfall of a president and his regime; our second demand was a civilian government. We will continue to fight for the objectives of our revolution, step by step, year by year, conscious always of the meaning of comprehensive change. 1/6 #StandWithSudan

— تجمع المهنيين السودانيين (@AssociationSd) July 5, 2019