KHARTOUM: Sudan’s Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) coalition said on Wednesday it was seeking to sign a framework agreement with the military as a first step to ending the political deadlock that has gripped the country since a military takeover in October 2021.
The takeover ended a partnership with the FFC following the overthrow of Omar Al-Bashir and plunged the country into political and economic turmoil.
The coalition and military began talks with international backing in recent weeks, and General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan this week confirmed that the military had presented its notes on a draft constitution.
In Wednesday’s statement, the coalition said it had reached “understandings” with the military based on their discussions. A high-level military source said that understandings had been reached but that there remained some pending issues.
The statement said that the coalition would seek to sign a framework agreement with the military and other political forces “that would form a constitutional basis for a civilian democratic transitional authority.”
Before signing a final agreement, the group said that broader discussions would be held on four main issues: transitional justice, security sector reform, revision of the Juba peace agreement, and the dismantling of the Bashir regime.
These issues have been cited by members of the coalition and analysts as key sources of tension between the military and civilians that culminated in the coup.
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Sudan’s pro-democracy coalition seeks ‘framework agreement’ with the military
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Sudan’s pro-democracy coalition seeks ‘framework agreement’ with the military
- The coalition and military began talks with international backing in recent weeks
- Al-Burhan this week confirmed that the military had presented its notes on a draft constitution
Netherlands returns 3,500-year-old looted sculpture to Egypt
THE HAGUE: The Netherlands on Thursday returned a 3,500-year-old sculpture to Egypt after the looted artefact resurfaced at a Dutch art fair in 2022.
An investigation by Dutch police and cultural heritage inspectorate confirmed in 2025 the sculpture had been plundered and unlawfully removed from Egypt, most likely during the Arab Spring unrest of 2011, before appearing on the international art market.
Experts believe the artefact, a stone head that was originally part of a block statue, originated from Luxor in southern Egypt. It depicts a senior official from the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III (1479–1425 BC).
It was confiscated in 2022 at an art fair in the Dutch city of Maastricht. Art dealer Sycomore Ancient Art, which had acquired the piece but had doubts about its provenance, voluntarily surrendered it following the inquiry.
“Our policy is to return what doesn’t belong to us and to return it always to the rightful cultural group or country,” Dutch Culture Minister Gouke Moes said in handing over the artefact to the Egyptian ambassador.
Egyptian Ambassador Emad Hanna said his country tracks artefacts that appear in exhibitions or auctions.
“It means a lot to us when it comes to tourism and economy, because at the end of the day, when tourists come to Egypt to see these things, it definitely makes a difference,” Hanna said.
Egypt’s plans to display the sculpture were not yet clear.
An investigation by Dutch police and cultural heritage inspectorate confirmed in 2025 the sculpture had been plundered and unlawfully removed from Egypt, most likely during the Arab Spring unrest of 2011, before appearing on the international art market.
Experts believe the artefact, a stone head that was originally part of a block statue, originated from Luxor in southern Egypt. It depicts a senior official from the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III (1479–1425 BC).
It was confiscated in 2022 at an art fair in the Dutch city of Maastricht. Art dealer Sycomore Ancient Art, which had acquired the piece but had doubts about its provenance, voluntarily surrendered it following the inquiry.
“Our policy is to return what doesn’t belong to us and to return it always to the rightful cultural group or country,” Dutch Culture Minister Gouke Moes said in handing over the artefact to the Egyptian ambassador.
Egyptian Ambassador Emad Hanna said his country tracks artefacts that appear in exhibitions or auctions.
“It means a lot to us when it comes to tourism and economy, because at the end of the day, when tourists come to Egypt to see these things, it definitely makes a difference,” Hanna said.
Egypt’s plans to display the sculpture were not yet clear.
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