US hails power-sharing deal in Sudan

ANKARA The U.S. on Saturday congratulated Sudan's Transitional Military Council (TMC) and Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) for reaching a political agreement and signing a constitutional declaration. "We are encouraged by this first step in the establishment of a civilian-led transitional government," State Department Spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in an official statement. "The United States commends the mediators from the African Union and the Government of Ethiopia for their efforts to broker this landmark agreement," she added. She underlined that Washington expected the inauguration of the sovereign council on Aug. 19 and the appointment of a prime minister by Aug. 20. In an official ceremony Saturday, representatives of the TMC and FFC hammered out a power-sharing deal. According to the deal, a sovereign council -- consisting of six civilians and five military personnel -- will run the country until the elections. According to the agreement, a prime minister will be appointed with the approval of the council on Aug. 20, to be sworn in before the council and head of the Supreme Court on Aug. 21. Sudan has remained in turmoil since April 11, when the military establishment announced long-serving President Omar Bashir’s removal after months of popular protests against his 30-year rule.