TMC and FFC Sign Constitutional Declaration

On Saturday, 3 August 2019, the ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC), the main opposition coalition, have reached an agreement on the constitutional declaration.

The agreement comes shortly after the two parties signed an agreement on 17 July 2019 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.

ويأتي الاتفاق على الإعلان الدستوري اليوم في بنوده ونصوصه الأساسية استكمالاً للاتفاق السياسي الذي تم التوقيع عليه في يوم 17 يوليو 2019 لتبدأ مرحلة جديدة من النضال السلمي، النضال من أجل البناء والتعمير لما دمَّرته الشمولية وهدَمه الاستبداد.#السودان_الحكم_المدني

— تجمع المهنيين السودانيين (@AssociationSd) August 3, 2019

According to the African Union (AU) mediator for Sudan, Mohamed Hassan Lebatt, the two sides “fully agreed on a constitutional declaration” outlining the division of power for a three-year transition to elections. 

The constitutional declaration outlines the powers and the relationships between the branches of the transitional government for the three-year transition period. The declaration states that the FFC will appoint a prime minister once the document is signed. The prime minister will be tasked to form the government in consultation with the FFC. However, the defence and the interior ministers will be appointed by the TMC.

The declaration was signed on Sunday, 4 August 2019.

The reactions

As with the signing of the power-sharing deal, the agreement has been met with both celebration and objection. 

مبرووووك للشعب السوداني البطل

ما تم مساء اليوم إتفاق كامل محضور ومشهود بشهادة اقليمية تحظى بإعتراف دولي.. لا يمكن التنصل عنه من قبل أي طرف من الأطراف.. لذا لا تستمعوا للأكاذيب وحملات التشكيك التي ستنطلق ضده ولا تروجوا للخيانة.

— Moniem Suleiman (@Moniem_suleiman) August 3, 2019

The end✨#السودان_الاتفاق_السياسي #السودان pic.twitter.com/cUraIyatHY

— ‏ wadah♚ .# (@wadah6884) August 2, 2019

2:33 بتوقيت السودان و الهتافات 😢💔الله يلعن الغربه مرا تانية✌🏽🇸🇩#السودان_الاتفاق_السياسي pic.twitter.com/ThZzBPRyzv

— zinamoh (@zinamoh1) August 3, 2019

It’s not time for mabrook just yet! #Sudan #SudanUprising

— Ola Diab (@TheRealOlaDiab) August 3, 2019

Euphoric? No not yet but a bit relaxed after a long fight #KeepEyesOnSudan
Let’s celebrate after true handover
Let’s celebrate after justice is achieved
Let’s celebrate after we rebuild #Sudan
What should we do now? Stick together united to complete the journey towards freedom 🦋 pic.twitter.com/Med5CarPd7

— Saragalilo (@Sarajalilo) August 3, 2019

Others are concerned with what will come after the signing of the constitutional declaration and the economic challenges the incoming transitional government will face in Sudan.

المرحلة الداخلينها صعبة جدا. مرحلة النفس الطويل الحقيقية. البلد ما فيها اي بنية تحتية
ادامل كل الامل في حكومة قوية تقدر تبني من الصفر

— Heba Elshich (@ihebaelshich) August 3, 2019

The incoming #Sudan government will be inheriting an economy highlighted (as of 2018) by:

— $8.7-9.2bn trade deficit

— Fuel subsidy of 8% GDP (over $3bn)

— Wheat subsidy of around $500m, on top of $800m import bill

— 60% power coverage deficit (4,000 megawatts)

— Yousif Elmahdi (@Usiful_ME) August 3, 2019