UN kicks off talks aimed at ending Sudan political deadlock
ABC News
The U.N. says it has begun meetings with Sudanese groups to find a way out of the political deadlock that has paralyzed the country since an October military coup
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt -- The United Nations began meetings Monday with Sudanese groups to find a way out of the political deadlock that has paralyzed the country since an October military coup, the U.N. envoy said.
The Oct. 25 takeover scuttled hopes of a peaceful transition to a civilian-ruled democratic government over two years after a popular uprising forced the military overthrow of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir and his Islamist government.
The fall coup triggered relentless street protests and over 60 protesters have since been killed as security forces cracked down on demonstrations.
Volker Perthes, the U.N. envoy for Sudan, told a news conference in the capital of Khartoum that consultations will first aim to build confidence between the military and the pro-democracy movement before they possibly engage in direct talks.
