Sudan’s ruling military junta and pro-democracy groups have signed an initial deal to end their political standoff and prepare Sudan for its first election and transition to civilian rule after the October 2021 military coup. The agreement establishes a two-year, civilian-led transitional government and appoints a prime minister ahead of the elections. Several key players have boycotted the deal as they’ve refused to negotiate with Sudan’s military rulers. Protesters who took to the streets ahead of the signing object to the exclusion of a transitional justice system or the implementation of key military reforms.

Meanwhile, prominent leftist Sudanese politician Wagdi Salih, a member of the pro-democracy coalition that signed the deal, was freed from jail on Sunday. Talks between the parties have been facilitated by the United Nations, the United States, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, among others. This is the first of at least two planned accords.