Sudan’s military leader seeks United Nations support

Sudan’s military leader Gen Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan has called for the United Nations to support the transitional government.

On Thursday, Gen Burhan Met the UN special representative to the country, Volker Perthes, who said that despite welcoming the deal for a return to constitutional order, “other critical steps need to follow”, without elaborating.

Gen Burhan has said he will co-operate with reinstated civilian Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and support the transitional government he forms until elections are held.

A coup led by the military leader in October led to the overthrow of the transitional government and the ousting of Mr Hamdok.

Mr Hamdok was reinstated in November after signing a deal.

But mass protests against the military leaders, which had followed immediately after the coup, have continued.

The UN secretary-general António Guterres and the African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki have urged the public to support the deal for the return to a peaceful democracy.

Mr Guterres said although the situation was not perfect, it was a step towards democracy.

The transitional council has been urged to hold elections within 18 months.