Sudan's military council says Ethiopian, AU proposal is enough to resume talks with opposition

Sudan's ruling military council said on Friday that a proposal submitted by the African Union and Ethiopia is suitable for resuming talks on a transition to democracy with Sudan's opposition coalition.

The proposal reportedly addresses a major sticking point in negotiations: balance of power. It provides for a sovereign council consisting of seven civilians and seven members of the military that would oversee the transition. One additional seat would be reserved for an independent member. The makeup of a legislative council, though, would only be decided after the agreement was signed. The new proposal is reportedly similar to one the opposition had previously endorsed.

The AU and Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Amed have been trying to broker an agreement between the opposition and the military who have been at odds ever since the military removed long-time former President Omar Al-Bashir from power following months of civilian protests. The two sides have been unable to agree to terms on a transition of power and the enmity has worsened after Sudanese security forces violently stormed a protest camp earlier in June, resulting in a high number of civilian deaths.

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Activists in Sudan have called for a million-strong march on Sunday to revive street pressure on the military council as part of an effort to force the council to cede power to civilians, Reuters reports. Read more at Reuters.