Sudan protest leaders to unveil civilian ruling body

Sudanese protest leaders will shortly unveil a civilian body to take over from the ruling military council

Sudanese protesters hold pictures of victims of the regime, during a protest outside the army headquarters in the capital Khartoum on April 19, 2019.  Protest leaders on April 19, 2019 announced plans to unveil a civilian ruling body to replace the current transitional military council as crowds of demonstrators kept up the pressure outside army headquarters and Washington said it will send an envoy to encourage the transition.  / AFP / OZAN KOSE
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Sudanese protest leaders on Friday announced plans to unveil a civilian body to take over from the ruling military council as huge crowds demonstrated outside army headquarters.

The military council, which took power after ousting long-time leader Omar Al Bashir on April 11, has so far resisted calls from protesters to quickly make way for a civilian administration.

The Sudanese Professionals Association, which has been spearheading the protests, said in a statement that it would name members of the council at a news conference at 5pm (gmt) on Sunday outside the army complex, to which foreign diplomats are also invited.

"We are demanding that this civilian council, which will have representatives of the army, replace the military council," Ahmed Al Rabia, a leader of the umbrella group of unions for doctors, engineers and teachers, told AFP.

Friday marked four months to the day when first protest was triggered in response to a government decision to triple the price of bread.

The protests soon escalated into widespread rallies demanding Bashir's departure.

Access roads were packed, with crowds flocking to the huge square outside army headquarters to offer the weekly Muslim prayers.

"This government should be a representative of all the people and their aspirations," said prominent cleric Sheikh Matter Younis as he addressed thousands of protesters.

"It should include all Sudanese people and shouldn't exclude anyone."