Volker Perthes, the UN special representative for Sudan, has commended the political parties for starting talks to restore democracy more than a year after the military coup in the country.

Mr Perthes hailed the political parties for starting talks to restore a civilian-led transition, noting that it is an important step towards peace and democracy.

The coup ended a power-sharing agreement between military and civilian leaders, established following the April 2019 overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir, who had ruled for 30 years.

“After almost 15 months after the coup of 25 October, 2021, returning to the transition path would be a major, major step forward for all Sudanese whether they are civilians or in the military,” Mr Perthes told UN News.

The talks mark the second and final phase of a political process that began in December with the signing of a Political Framework Agreement for a two-year transition leading to elections.

The UN is facilitating them, the African Union (AU) and the East African bloc IGAD, together known as the Tripartite Mechanism.

In a statement issued following the January 8 launch in the capital, Khartoum, UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the development as “another important step forward towards realising the aspirations of the Sudanese people for democracy, peace and sustainable development.”

Representatives from civil society, academia, the private sector, youth, and women rights groups, as well as traditional and religious leaders, are also participating in the talks.

Five workshops will be held, the first of which focused on a road map for dismantling the old regime, said Perthes, who also heads the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS).

(NAN)