Sudan's pro-democracy movement signed a power-sharing agreement with the ruling military council on Sunday aimed at paving the way for a transition to civilian rule following the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir in April.
Representatives initialed a constitutional document that would establish a joint military and civilian council to rule for a little over three years until elections can be held. The agreement would establish a Cabinet appointed by the activists, as well as a legislative body.
The military overthrew al-Bashir in April following months of mass protests against his three-decade-long autocratic rule. The protesters remained in the streets, demanding a rapid transition to a civilian authority. They have been locked in tense negotiations with the military for weeks while holding mass protests.
General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the deputy head of the military council, told a joint news conference that the deal has ended an era in Sudan's history "characterized by rivalry and fighting."
"We have entered the negotiations as partners and leave as one team. The national will has triumphed... It is a win-win," he said.
Protest leader Omar al-Dagir said a "fair and transparent" investigation into recent violence by security forces against protesters, and achieving peace with rebel groups, would be top priorities for the transitional Government.
"There will be no democracy without peace," he said. "National reconciliation will be the slogan of the transitional period."
The two sides reached a preliminary agreement last month following international pressure, amid growing concerns the political crisis could ignite civil war.
That document provided for the establishment of a joint civilian-military sovereign council.
A military leader would head the 11-member council for the first 21 months, followed by a civilian leader for the next 18. There would also be a Cabinet of technocrats chosen by the protesters, as well as a legislative council with majority from the Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change, the main protest coalition.