Kiir blesses decision by Sudan’s Burhan to return country to civil rule

JUBA – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit has assented to a decision by the President of Sudan Sovereign Transitional Council Gen. Abdel Fattah al Burhan to distance the military from politics and return the country to civil rule.

Al Burhan announced earlier this week that he will dissolve the Transitional Sovereign Council and will limit the role of the military to a Higher Council of the Armed Forces that will only be responsible for security.

“We will not participate in the tripartite mechanism dialogue to allow the political and revolutionary forces to form an independent government of national competencies,” Al Burhan said in an address distributed live by the state-own Sudan TV on July 4.

“After the formation of the executive government, the Sovereignty Council will be dissolved and a higher defense council from the armed forces and rapid support will be formed, responsible for security and defense tasks,” the top Sudanese general said.

In reaction, South Sudan welcomed the developments in Sudan and said that the decision by the top military general was in line with the efforts exerted by the government in Juba to bring together the Sudanese parties.

“The developments in Sudan are encouraging and are in line with the efforts which have been exerted,” South Sudan’s presidential advisor on security affairs Tutkew Gatluak said, according to Paris-based Sudan Tribune.

“H.E the president of the Republic of South Sudan Gen Salva Kiir Mayardit had a brotherly call and talk with his brother, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, chairman of the Sudan sovereign council to recognize and appreciate progress which has been made in the discussions and announcements by the leadership of the sovereign council,” he added..

He further said that “These are important developments to acknowledge and to assure the support of the government and the people of South Sudan to the government and Sudanese people.”