Sudan opposition threatens wave of ‘civil disobedience’

<p>By Mohammed Amin</p> <p>KHARTOUM, Sudan (AA) – Sudan’s opposition Change and Freedom alliance is threatening to wage a campaign of “civil disobedience” if the ruling Military Transitional Council (MTC) refuses to swiftly hand over power to a civilian authority.</p> <p>At a Wednesday news conference in the capital Khartoum, Khalid Omer Youssef, secretary-general of the Sudanese Congress Party (a component of the Change and Freedom alliance) accused the MTC of “maneuvering” to avoid relinquishing executive power.</p> <p>“We have many options, including demonstrations and sit-ins, along with plans for a civil disobedience campaign,” Youssef said.</p> <p>“But we would rather reach a negotiated settlement with the MTC if the latter can take the situation seriously,” he added.</p> <p>On Tuesday, the MTC rejected a raft of proposals tabled by the opposition alliance.</p> <p>Medani Abas Medani, a leading member of the Change and Freedom alliance, said the MTC’s continued rejection of the opposition’s proposals was “complicating the situation”.</p> <p>He described the MTC’s recent statements on the role of Sharia Law as “an attempt to distract attention from the main issue — namely, the sought-for handover of power to a civilian authority”.</p> <p>Medani accused the MTC of “resorting to the tactics of the former regime”. He went on to assert that Sudan’s sprawling security apparatus was “still running the country”.</p> <p>On April 11, the Sudanese army announced the “removal” of President Omar al-Bashir following months of popular protest against his 30-year rule.</p> <p>The MTC is now overseeing a two-year “transitional period” during which it has pledged to hold free presidential elections.</p> <p>Demonstrators, however, have remained on the streets to demand that the military council hand over power — at the earliest possible date — to a civilian government.</p>