KHARTOUM - Sudan's military and
opposition groups have agreed to resume talks on the formation
of a transitional council, an Ethiopian envoy said on Tuesday,
as an opposition alliance said it was suspending its campaign of
civil disobedience and strikes.
Sudan's ruling military council also agreed to release
political prisoners as a confidence-building measure, special
envoy Mahmoud Dirir told reporters in Khartoum.
The steps appeared to show a softening of positions after
talks between the two sides had collapsed in the wake of the
violent dispersal of a protest sit-in on June 3.
The crackdown, in which dozens of people were killed, dealt
a blow to hopes of a transition towards democratic elections
following the overthrow of veteran leader Omar al-Bashir in
April after months of protests.
The Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces (DFCF) alliance
on Sunday began an open-ended strike that brought much activity
in Khartoum to a standstill.
The alliance said in a statement it would suspend the strike
from Wednesday until further notice, though it encouraged people
to remain mobilised for possible further action.
Drir's comments followed a mediation mission to Sudan by
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed last week.
Opposition sources said Abiy had proposed a 15-member
transitional council comprising eight civilians and seven
military officers with a rotating presidency.