U.S. seeks peaceful transition of Sudan

The United States supports a peaceful and democratic Sudan and believes the Sudanese people should be allowed a peaceful transition sooner than two years from now, a State Department official said on Thursday. "The Sudanese people should determine who leads them in their future," State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said at a news briefing. "The Sudanese people have been clear that they have been demanding a civilian-led transition. They should be allowed to do so sooner than two years from now."

Military leaders in Sudan said presidential elections would take place after a two-year period of military rule following the ouster of President Omar al-Bashir.