Sudan opposition suspends strike
Sudan's military and opposition groups have agreed
to resume talks on the formation of a transitional council, an Ethiopian envoy
said on Tuesday, as an opposition alliance said it was suspending its campaign
of civil disobedience and strikes.
Sudan's ruling military council also agreed to
release political prisoners as a confidence-building measure, special envoy
Mahmoud Dirir told reporters in Khartoum, said Reuters.
The steps appeared to show a softening of positions
after talks between the two sides had collapsed in the wake of the violent
dispersal of a protest sit-in on June 3.
The crackdown, in which dozens of people were
killed, dealt a blow to hopes of a transition towards democratic elections
following the overthrow of veteran President Omar al-Bashir in April after
months of protests.
The Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces (DFCF)
alliance on Sunday began an open-ended strike that brought much activity in
Khartoum to a standstill.
The alliance said in a statement it would suspend
the strike from Wednesday until further notice, though it encouraged people to
remain mobilized for possible further action.
Drir's comments followed a mediation mission to
Sudan by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed last week.
Opposition sources said Abiy had proposed a
15-member transitional council comprising eight civilians and seven military
officers with a rotating presidency.
