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| Sudanese protesters have continued to demand a civilian government since the military ousted president Omar al-Bashir ealier this month (AFP Photo/OZAN KOSE) |
Cairo (AFP) - African leaders at an emergency summit in Cairo urged Sudan's military rulers on Tuesday to implement a democratic transition within three months, the Egyptian presidency said.
Egypt and
representatives from several other African nations agreed on "the need for
more time" for Sudanese authorities and political actors "to
implement peaceful, organised and democratic transition measures", it said
in a statement.
They also
urged the African Union to extend by three months a deadline, currently the end
of April, for Sudan's military council to hand power to a civilian authority or
face suspension from the regional bloc.
That would
partially ease international pressure on the council to hand over to civilian
rule.
The army
toppled longtime president Omar al-Bashir on April 11, but protestors have
continued to hold mass rallies demanding a swift transition to a non-military
government -- calls the council has so far resisted.
Heads of
state and senior officials from states including Ethiopia, Nigeria, Rwanda and
South Africa took part in the summit.
"We
agreed today into the urgent restoration of a constitutional system through a
democratic, political transition owned and led by the Sudanese
themselves," said Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who currently
chairs the AU.
"This
is to institute a comprehensively democratic political system and entrench the
rule of law" as well as safeguarding human rights, he added.
The summit
statement also expressed "the complete support of the African Union and
neighbouring countries for Sudan as it faces it political, security and
economic challenges".
The
participating countries also said they would help Sudan tackle cross-border
crime including arms and human trafficking in order to maintain "regional
stability".
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