Sudan delays signing of deal to usher in civilian government

Sudan’s military leaders and pro-democracy forces will delay the signing of an agreement to usher in a civilian government, both sides said in a joint statement issued early Saturday.
The postponement of the signing – which had been scheduled for later Saturday – comes as key security reform negotiations between the Sudanese army and the country’s powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces appear to have reached a deadlock.
Military generals met with pro-democracy leaders Saturday in the capital of Khartoum and agreed to sign the deal on April 6, said Khalid Omar, a spokesman for the pro-democracy block, in a separate statement.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the U.N., the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in Eastern Africa, who have facilitated talks between the military and pro-democracy groups.