SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Associated Press - Sudan protesters tone down demands in standoff with military

3/5/19: Associated Press - Sudan protesters tone down demands in standoff with military

by Fay Abuelgasim and Noha Elhennawy

 AP reports that Sudanese protesters toned down one of their key demands in an attempt to ease tensions with the ruling military council.

 The Forces of the Declaration for Freedom and Change, a coalition led by the Sudanese Professionals Association that has organized the protests, released a new proposal that drops a key issue of contention between the two sides — the allocation of seats in the transitional council.

 The protesters had earlier proposed an 11-member council with three seats for the military, which in turn pushed for a 10-member council with just three civilians.

 The new proposal instead offers a blueprint for a four-year-transitional period, including the makeup of an interim Cabinet and parliament.