US Urges Sudan Army To Bring Civilians Into Government

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. “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 has been in talks to improve relations with Sudan after years of tension with Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for the bloody campaign in the western Darfur region that Washington has described as genocide. “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,” Palladino said, without specifying whether Bashir or the coup leader, Defense Minister Awad Ibnouf, should be extradited. AFP]]>