Roadmap for resolving the Sudanese political problem

The political crisis is further exacerbated by the political impasse in Sudan facing various actors. Every day the political situation continues to deteriorate, placing citizens under greater economic pressure and jeopardizing their interests. It also poses a threat to Sudan's national security and makes Sudan vulnerable to foreign interference. It also makes it more difficult to complete the democratic transition. We, at Binaa Sudan Party, are working tirelessly to transform the political discourse into one that offers practical solutions. We present this initiative to the Sudanese people first, then to the Sudanese political parties and forces, the armed forces, and the armed movements. This initiative aims to resolve the political impasse in two phases. The first phase is to form a transitional presidential council of a civilian nature as a top priority, and the second phase is to form a government of technocrats through this council.

Phase One: Formation of a Transitional Presidential Council

• A 15 member Presidential Council shall be formed:

1. (6) Representatives of the armed forces.
2. (2) A representative of the civil opposition, provided that at least one of them is a woman.
3. (2) Representatives of the armed opposition.
4. (3) Youth representatives, at least one of whom must be a woman.
5. A former Supreme or Constitutional Court judge known for his competence and independence.
6. A distinguished independent academic figure agreed upon by the aforementioned members.

• The Council shall elect a president, provided that he is a civilian.
• The Transitional Presidential Council performs the duties of the President of the Republic.
• The Council shall, by consensus, form a government of technocrats (non-partisan or non-political) to run the state.
• The authority of the Presidential Council shall continue until the end of the transitional period, which shall last for a period of no less than 3 years and no more than 5 years.
• The Transitional Presidential Council shall hand over power to the elected presidential body after the end of the transitional period and the holding of general elections.

Phase Two: Forming a Transitional Technocratic Government

Given the complex political reality in Sudan, there is an urgent need to form a technocratic government. This need is based on two pillars:

First: Protecting the sensitive transitional period from the tug of war between politicians and their overlapping agendas and political ideologies, to ensure the country's stability and, consequently, the democratic transition.

Second: All political forces must be equal in democratic elections after the transitional period to ensure that everyone accepts the results and thus ensures a democratic transition. The presence of a particular political party or alliance in power may give it some advantage in a new or nascent democracy.

The technocratic government is managing the transitional phase and is working on three axes:

Axis One: State Administration

• Enacting laws on transitional justice, reparations, and national reconciliation (please see the draft transitional justice program prepared by Binaa Sudan Party)
• Work to demobilize and reintegrate all armed forces in Sudan to ensure that the only armed force in Sudan is the Sudanese Armed Forces, which are national in character and absorb some of the non-governmental forces currently armed.
• Working to lift economic sanctions on Sudan and improve Sudan's image in the international community.
• Seeking international approval to exempt Sudan from its external debts in accordance with the Highly Indebted Countries Initiative.
• Restructuring of the Federal Government (Annex 1)
• The issuance of interim legislation shall be valid with 75% of the votes of the Presidential Council and the Transitional Government, and they must convene in a unified council.
• The federal system (state governments) will be suspended and all federal constitutional bodies will be dissolved immediately after the formation of the transitional government.
• Sudan's administration is divided into 7 geographical regions operating under the directorate system and centrally administered by a technocratic government:

• The transitional government does not enter into any long-term contracts or agreements, except for budget financing agreements at the beginning of the transitional period.​
• Emphasizing that Sudanese women participate in the transitional government and all state agencies at a rate of no less than 25%.
• Emphasizing that youth (under the age of forty) should participate in the transitional government at a rate of no less than 25%.

Axis II: Managing the Constitutional Process

• Preparing for a national constitutional conference to begin its convening within a maximum period of 6 months from the beginning of the transitional period.
• Holding a national constitutional conference, in which all political, social and youth forces participate, as a round table, with a duration of 18 months.
• The National Constitutional Conference shall submit the draft permanent constitution of Sudan to the transitional government for a popular referendum to approve it within three months of its submission to the transitional government (a government of technocrats).

Axis III: Managing the electoral process

• Working to create a free democratic climate for all political formations.
• Supporting political forces according to specific conditions (Appendix No. 2) to ensure the establishment of political institutions independent of the dominance of domestic or foreign capital.
• The transitional government calls for general elections in accordance with the constitution approved by popular referendum.
• Civilian political forces (and currently the military as well) must immediately engage in formulating their own development projects and solutions to the country's problems. This step, we believe, is key to restoring the Sudanese public's confidence in its political forces and their ability to devise effective solutions to its daily problems.

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Appendix No. 1: The proposed ministerial formation of Binaa Sudan Party

1. Ministry of Interior.
2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
3. Ministry of Defense.
4. Ministry of Finance.
5. Ministry of Justice.
6. Ministry of Health and Social Care.
7. Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Roads.
8. Ministry of Education and Scientific Research.
9. Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Animal Resources.
10. Ministry of Energy.
11. Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Appendix No. 2: Conditions for Supporting Political Parties: The goal of supporting political parties is for the state to contribute to the process of reforming parties as true tools for practicing and strengthening democracy at the state level. This also contributes to preventing the dominance of capital over parties, whether domestic or foreign.

• The party membership must not be less than 5,000 registered members with complete registration documents.
• The party must be national and include in its membership no less than 200 members from each of the seven regions of Sudan.
• The party system must be democratic and its internal regulations and constitution must be announced.
• All party expenditures and income shall be subject to financial review and public audit.
• A number of cadres from each party receive standardized training in leadership, governance, and media. (The transitional government may provide courses through government institutions.)

April 17, 2019