Abdul Fattah Burhan, the new head of the Sudanese military transitional council, announced on Saturday night the names of the new members of his council. Burhan replaced, earlier that day, the Defence Minister Awad bin Awaf, after the latter stepped down following a wide public rejection over his leadership of the council. The new council now includes Mohamed Hamdan, Shams El-Din Kabashi, Omar Zine El Abidine, Tayeb Babeker, Salah Abdel Khaliq, Jalal Al-Din, Yaser Abdul Rahmaan, Mostafa Mohamed, and Ibrahim Gaber. Once taking the post, Burhan ordered lifting the night curfew and releasing all political detainees apprehended under the state of emergency following the ouster of president Omar al-Bashir. In a statement, Burhan said that the transitional period will be lasting for a maximum of two years, during which a civilian government will be formed in consultation with all political factions and parties. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia announced its support to the decisions taken by the new military council, pledging to supply the country with assistance package of food, medications, and oil. Meanwhile, the UAE welcomed the appointing of Burhan and also vowed to coordinate with Sudan on needed aids. Representatives of protests' leaders met with Burhan on Saturday night. The Forces of the Freedom and Change Declaration stated on Twitter that they met with commanders of the armed forces and listed their demands. The demands include the immediate transfer of power to a civilian transitional government to lead the country for four years. The forces also called for restructuring and reforming the justice institutions and civil services. The Forces also called upon the military council to clarify the names of detainees of the regime figures and their detention places. Additionally, they demanded the releasing of all political prisoners, including soldiers and officers who defended the revolution. Furthermore, the forces called on military commanders to cancel all laws that restrict the freedoms especially the laws that have systematically suppressed Sudanese women for a long time. Early on Thursday, Al-Bashir was finally overthrown by his military after months of mass demonstrations calling for his ouster. He is currently under house arrest. Al-Bashir's 30-year kleptocracy has been marked by famine and civil war, which led to the division of the country. In 2011 South Sudan gained independence. Over several last months, Sudan has witnessed powerful mass demonstrations which were originally sparked by the high increase in the costs of living. Dozens were killed and arrested.
