Sudan military rulers 'commit to inclusive dialogue, civilian-led government': US Embassy

Sudan's military leaders committed to "inclusive national dialogue" and the establishment of a civilian-led transitional government in a meeting with a high-level delegation from Washington, the US Embassy in Khartoum said Thursday.

US special envoy for the Horn of Africa David Satterfield and Assistant Secretary of State Molly Phee met with the Sovereign Council led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan as part of a diplomatic tour to Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Ethiopia.

"The military leaders of the Sovereign Council, with whom the Assistant Secretary and Special Envoy met, offered their commitment to inclusive national dialogue, the political transition, the establishment of a civilian-led government based upon consensus," a statement from the US Embassy read.

Satterfield and Phee met with representatives of Sudan’s movement for democracy and civil society groups, and with the  families of those killed in the crackdown on demonstrations since the 25 October coup. 

Khaled Omar, a leading member of the Forces for Freedom and Change, said in a statement released after he met with US officials on Wednesday that there needed to be “comprehensive measures of justice that unequivocally do justice to the victims of the military’s violent answers to the peaceful protests”.

Satterfield called for clear and transparent investigation into the killings of seven people by security forces in a crackdown on protests this Monday, and for accountability for those involved, the US Embassy said.

He also reiterated that US aid will be conditioned on the restoration of a civilian-led government, and would only resume once violence against pro-democracy protesters has ceased, the statement added.