Muslim groups slam deal between Sudan’s MTC, opposition

KHARTOUM

Thousands of Muslim activists, including members of the Popular Congress Party and Salafists groups, protested in Khartoum on Friday against a deal by which Sudan’s ruling Military Transitional Council (MTC) would hand over power to a civilian authority.

Demonstrators chanted slogans against the agreement, which, if implemented, would give the Change and Freedom opposition alliance exclusive authority to form a transitional cabinet and hold a majority of seats in a transitional parliament.

Protesters also chanted slogans calling for the adoption of Islamic Law and rejecting the “secular system” called for by the Change and Freedom coalition.

Earlier this week, the MTC and the opposition alliance agreed on the need for a transitional council of ministers to be drawn up exclusively by the latter.

The agreement would also give the Change and Freedom coalition a majority of seats in a proposed transitional parliament.

Early last month, the Sudanese army ousted President Omar al-Bashir following months of popular demonstrations against his 30-year rule.

The MTC is now overseeing a two-year “transitional period” during which it has pledged to hold presidential elections.

Demonstrators, however, have remained on the streets to demand that the military council relinquish power -- at the earliest possible date -- to a civilian authority.

KHARTOUM

Protesters also chanted slogans calling for the adoption of Islamic Law and rejecting the “secular system” called for by the Change and Freedom coalition.

Earlier this week, the MTC and the opposition alliance agreed on the need for a transitional council of ministers to be drawn up exclusively by the latter.

The agreement would also give the Change and Freedom coalition a majority of seats in a proposed transitional parliament.

Early last month, the Sudanese army ousted President Omar al-Bashir following months of popular demonstrations against his 30-year rule.

The MTC is now overseeing a two-year “transitional period” during which it has pledged to hold presidential elections.

Demonstrators, however, have remained on the streets to demand that the military council relinquish power -- at the earliest possible date -- to a civilian authority.