Sudan's ruling council vows to transfer power to people

<p>By Bahram Mustafa</p> <p>KHARTOUM (AA) – Sudan's ruling Military Transitional Council (MTC) has vowed to transfer political power “to the Sudanese people”.</p> <p>According to an MTC statement, council member Jalaleddin al-Sheikh al-Tayeb made the assertion at a Monday meeting in Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Hirut Zemene.</p> <p>At the meeting, al-Tayeb reportedly said that the Sudanese army's assumption of power last week had “come in response to the people's demand for change and a better life”.</p> <p>He went on to assert that the move was “not a military coup”. </p> <p>The MTC, al-Tayeb explained, was now in the process of choosing a new prime minister to head up a sought-for civilian government.</p> <p>He also called on the international community — and the Addis Ababa-based African Union — to “support the MTC with a view to helping us overcome Sudan’s political and economic difficulties”.</p> <p>Zemene, for her part, expressed Ethiopia’s support for the MTC, voicing hope that the ruling military council would succeed “in restoring security and stability in Sudan”.</p> <p>“Ethiopia is confident that Sudan will emerge from this critical phase stronger than ever,” the MTC statement quoted Zemene as saying.</p> <p>Al-Tayeb arrived in Addis Ababa earlier Monday — the first foreign visit by an MTC member — to brief Ethiopian officials on developments in Sudan.</p> <p>Last Thursday, the Sudanese army announced the ouster of President Omar al-Bashir, who had ruled Sudan since 1989, following months of popular protests against his rule. </p> <p>It also announced the establishment of a military council to run the nation’s affairs for a two-year “transitional period”. </p> <p>On Saturday, MTC chief Lieutenant-General Abdel-Fattah Burhan pledged to carry out wide-ranging political and economic reforms. </p> <p>In a televised address, Burhan said that the two-year transitional period would conclude with “free and fair” presidential elections.</p> <p>The MTC chief also vowed to prosecute corrupt officials linked to the al-Bashir regime, along with anyone found guilty of involvement in the recent killing of protesters.</p>