Sudan protesters call for civil disobedience campaign

Protest leaders in Sudan on Wednesday threatened to launch a nationwide civil disobedience campaign in reaction to the military's "disappointing" response to their proposals for a civilian government.

Thousands of protesters remain camped outside the military headquarters in Khartoum almost four weeks after the armed forces ousted autocratic president Omar al-Bashir as demanded by a monthslong protest movement.

"We call for and prepare for civil disobedience," Madani Abbas Madani, a leader of the Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces (DFCF), said at a news conference in Khartoum.

The DFCF, the opposition groups' umbrella body, did not provide details of the action it might take. The group has organized work strikes, marches, protest sit-ins and other acts of civil disobedience for weeks. Protesters have also blocked bridges, roads and rail tracks, disrupting Sudan's transport infrastructure.

The protesters and the military have been in talks to determine whether an overall ruling council that would replace the existing army council — made up of only generals — should have a civilian or military majority.

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Military 'has reservations' about civilian rule

Last week the Alliance for Freedom and Change protest group handed over its proposals for a civilian structure, including executive and legislative bodies, which it eventually wants to rule Sudan after replacing the generals.

The 10-member military council said late on Tuesday that while it agreed to the overall proposals, it had "many reservations."

The protest leaders said on Wednesday that they believe the military council was delaying the entire transfer of power.

"The military council's response to the proposals of the Alliance for Freedom and Change was disappointing and risked putting the country in jeopardy," protest leader Khalid Omar Yousef told reporters.

The alliance expressed concerns about the military dragging the process out.

"The military council's response ... is moving in the direction of extending the negotiations and not in the direction of a transition" of power, it said in a statement.

Read more: Sudan protests: Female force in action

US urges army to make a deal

US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan on Wednesday urged General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the chairman of Sudan's Transitional Military Council, to reach an agreement with protesters.

In a telephone call with Burhan, Sullivan backed "the Sudanese people's aspirations for a free, democratic and prosperous future," the State Department said.

Sullivan encouraged Burhan to "move expeditiously toward a civilian-led interim government" and to reach an agreement with the Alliance for Freedom and Change protest group

law/sms (AFP, Reuters)

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