Sudan’s military coup leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan says a technocratic prime minister could be announced in a week, and left the door open for the man he ousted to return and form the new government.
Western countries have cut off hundreds of millions of dollars in desperately needed aid to Sudan since al-Burhan dissolved Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’s cabinet.
Opponents of the coup have called for mass protests on Saturday under the slogan “Leave!”. At least 11 protesters have been killed in clashes with security forces so far this week, and residents say they fear a full-blown crackdown.
The coup has derailed a transition meant to steer Sudan to democracy, with elections in 2023, after long-serving ruler Omar al-Bashir was toppled two years ago.
While there has been no evidence of concrete progress towards restoring civilian rule, several mediation efforts have been announced. An Egyptian source said Egyptian officials had spoken to Burhan in a bid to foster a new government.
In Khartoum, a committee of national figures has been formed to mediate and has met with both the army and civilians, a member told Reuters. A U.N. special representative has also offered to facilitate an agreement.
In a speech on Thursday night, Burhan said Hamdok had been offered a chance to return as prime minister.
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