SUDANESE military and protest leaders signed a “disappointing” power-sharing deal today.

The two sides are still at work on a more contentious constitutional agreement that would specify the division of powers, but they consider today’s deal an important step in the transition to civilian rule following the military overthrow of veteran dictator Omar al-Bashir in April.

However, Sudanese Translators for Change’s Hikma Yacoub told the Star she was “not happy” with the “disappointing” agreement, as there was no representation of women’s interests and outstanding issues such as armed violence were not addressed.

She said: “How is it going to be implemented? There are lots of grey areas including issues with the rebel groups.

“They haven’t provided us with details. It’s very frustrating.”

The deal will establish a joint civilian-military sovereign council to rule Sudan for a little over three years while elections are organised. A military leader will head the 11-member council for the first 21 months, followed by a civilian for the next 18.

The Communist Party said it and some other factions rejected the agreement because it did not provide for an immediate handover of power to civilians or an international investigation of the violence.

Meanwhile, protests against civilian deaths continued in the capital Khartoum.