US Urges Sudan Army to Bring Civilians into Government
The United States has urged Sudan's army to bring civilians into government after ousting veteran leader Omar al-Bashir, saying an announced two-year timeline was too long.
Washington, Apr 12 (AFP) The United States has urged Sudan's army to bring civilians into government after ousting veteran leader Omar al-Bashir, saying an announced two-year timeline was too long.
The United States calls "on transitional authorities to exercise restraint and to allow space for civilian participation within the government," State Department spokesman Robert Palladino told reporters on Thursday.
"The Sudanese people should determine who leads them and their future and the Sudanese people have been clear and are demanding a civilian-led transition," he said. "The United States position is the Sudanese people should be allowed to do so sooner than two years from now," he said.
The United States had been trying to mend relations with Sudan after years of tension with Bashir, who took office in 1989 and formerly welcomed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
Palladino said that the United States was "suspending" the so-called Phase II talks, in which the United States was considering removing Khartoum from the US blacklist of state sponsors of terrorism, but he added: "We remain open to engagement."
Bashir remains wanted by the International Criminal Court for the bloody campaign in the western Darfur region that Washington has described as genocide.
Palladino said that the United States supported accountability on Darfur but declined to specify whether Bashir - or the coup leader, Defense Minister Awad Ibnouf -- should face extradition.
"We believe that the victims of Darfur deserve justice and that accountability is essential for achieving a stable and lasting peace in Darfur," he said.
"The United States continues to call for those responsible for the horrific crimes that were committed in Darfur to be held accountable for those actions," he said. (AFP)
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